Cultivating Reading Habit in Kids

Many researchers have demonstrated the importance of reading habit in your children. A wealth of studies show that cultivating reading can have a significant impact on children and their future. For example,

• “Extensive reading was linked to superior performance on measures of general knowledge, vocabulary, spelling, verbal fluency, and reading comprehension.” – Cunningham and Stanovich, 1998
• “It is clear that reading early in life are critical factors in student success,” – Anthony W. Marx, president of the New York Public Library, New York Times (2015)
• “Students not reading well in third grade are 4 times more likely to drop out.” – Students First, Statistics About Education in America 
• “Research consistently shows strong correlation to reading & academic success at all ages” – National Center for Educational Statistics

Reading is a critical skill that needs to be promoted since an early age. Ultimately, the purpose of reading is comprehension - the ability to understand the intended meaning from the text. It is straightforward to see just how reading leads to academic success. Most of a child's learning through reading the textbooks, workbooks, and teacher's writing on the whiteboard. If a child cannot read those things, how would he answer questions of science, math, or any subjects? Impossible!

Here I'm listing three simple and doable tips/approaches on getting a child to read.

1. Be a role model
• Action speaks louder than word, isn't it? Plus, kids learn best from their parents. Read whatever you like - newspaper, novel, magazine, etc. - and encourage your kid to join you with his own book while you are reading.
2. Discuss what your child is reading
• Show interest in what your kid is reading. For example, while my kids are still reading a storybook, I would usually ask about what happened so far, the characters, and their feedback on the plot. 
3. Visit a library or a bookstore.
• Oh, these are my favorite places to visit. Believe me, it is so much easier to make reading fun when we are surrounded by books and readers! Try to create a library card/bookstore membership and let your kids choose any book that catches his attention.
• Perpustakaan Awam Selangor, Shah Alam: http://www.ppas.gov.my/index.php/perkhidmatan/waktu-perkhidmatan
• BookXcess, Cyberjaya (Open 24 hours): https://www.facebook.com/BookXcess/

Perpustakaan Awam Selangor, Shah Alam



BookXcess, Tamarind Square, Cyberjaya

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