Libraries are a great place to be at. Ever wondered how much power this place holds in our lives. As kids of the last generation we were not so much unaware of the importance of this place in our lives. It’s only after growing up and taking up higher studies that we realise the paramount importance of this place. Also, do we all remember how many books we ever issued from a school library ?
In the digital age as well, we can’t simply replace books with the tabs and PDF versions of the books. Remember as young school going children, we would wait for the day when books would be distributed in the school and the smell of the new books, the fun of putting covers on them. All that seems to recede today as kids are getting used to the digital classrooms, usage of tablets at school.
We have seen libraries as just one dingy room in a corner of a school corridor, which had books but hardly kids would take them from schools to read. The culture of reading was also not prevalent. Kids who had some exposure to reading and those who were encouraged at home would get a book issued from the library. But there was no means through which the importance of book reading and the importance of a library in a school student’s life was spread.
But as we see today, in the age of digitisation a kid of the age of one year or less gets used to scrolling an android phone. The screen space for children also has increased. Also the usage of digital devices by kids and their exposure to all things digital is rising and is alarming to some extent. So, making your children read books regularly and cultivating the habit of reading so that it benefits them in the long term becomes important.
Instead parents should buy story books, colouring books, and autobiography books for their kids. Parents should read out story books by making their child sit next to them. This is called “loud reading” method. Kids can be taught how to enact the characters in the story books. Asking kids nudging questions at the end of the story telling would add to their inquisitiveness.
Reading helps you develop positive thinking. Reading is important because it develops your mind and gives you excessive knowledge and lessons of life. It helps you understand the world around you better. It keeps your mind active and enhances your creative ability.
Reading improves your vocabulary and develops your communication skills. It helps you learn how to use your language creatively. Not only does it improve your communication but it also makes you a better writer. Good communication is important in every aspect of life.
Reading takes you to the world of imagination and enhances your creativity. Reading helps you explore life from different perspectives. While you read books you are building new and creative thoughts, images and opinions in your mind.
Books reduce boredom, journeys for long hours or a long vacation from work can be pretty boring in spite of all the social sites. Books come in handy and release you from boredom.
By active reading, you explore several aspects of life. It involves questioning what you read. It helps you develop your thoughts and express your opinions. New ideas and thoughts pop up in your mind by active reading. It stimulates and develops your brain and gives you a new perspective.
It is important to have good and functional libraries at schools. Kids learn to use books through a school library. They should be made aware of the existing library and librarian at the school. A librarian should be assigned with the task to make kids aware of the available books pertaining to each standard. The role of class teacher also comes into play here. A class teacher can arrange reading sessions and storytelling sessions in the classroom. She can ask the kids to avail books from the library. And through a reward method she can also encourage kids to issue as many books as they would want. A kid availing maximum number of books in a semester can then be rewarded.
Libraries are a crucial source of information for children in schools. It creates the essential habit of reading in students. Each school must have libraries. The library in schools is a major part of the lives of students, serving as a storehouse of information. A good school library can have some of the features like books for all categories and all age groups, and a comfortable sitting area for students to read. The librarian should be able to guide the students about the book.The librarian can make reading a regular habit at the school library. The library should have good use of visuals in good colours which will only attract the students.
Reading and learning can thus be made playful by making use of the library books. Remember reading books will make you a bright and happy person too. Happy reading !
Written By – Minal Ingale
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