THE IMPORTANCE OF READING A BOOK
‘A book is an everlasting friend’. Reading enables one to look into the world with a new perspective. Every book we read has some message in it, be it informative, historical, fantasy, etc. As a kid, I took the first step into this world of reading when I chanced upon the Bed Time Stories collection, we had at home. From there……..there was no looking back. Books have been a constant companion since my childhood days. I feel that I have benefited immensely from this habit of reading.
Little ones can be introduced to books through story telling from age appropriate story books like the Aesop’s fables, Panchatantra, Fairy tales, Comics, etc. Once they start finding interest in listening to these stories they would eventually take to the reading habit…
Very young children may be given Touch and Feel Books, Pop-up books, those filled with colorful illustrations, hard bound books, water books etc… to explore and develop interest in reading.
It is seen that the today’s generation do not really care about reading much and they are more interested in social networking or course related books. This is actually a burning problem because Books are not only a storehouse of knowledge, but they are man’s best friend, philosopher and guide.
So try to introduce this wonderful habit to your toddler through various creative ways, so that she or he becomes a lifelong happy learner.
By Vasavi Acharya, Early Childhood Educationist