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Rewind your life and go back to your school days. Out of a class of around 40 students, how many were considered the so-called bright students? Three or four? How many were just average? Most of them? Now, think about your college days and recall those numbers. Almost the same? What about post-graduation? The same? And what about the bright workers in an office setting? Similar?
By bright workers, I don’t mean university toppers or nerdy individuals blindly picked by companies based solely on their grades. I’m referring to those who have mastered the art of continuous growth at each phase of their careers. We will discuss office colleagues in another article, but for now, let’s go back to school and college days.
What was common among those three or four extraordinary students? Did they have an exceptional memory? Were they born intelligent to intellectual parents? Not necessarily. What they had in common was their ability to read well. They could easily understand and articulate concepts while reading their textbooks. On the other hand, most average and below-average students simply read blindly and tried to memorize topics. I was one of them in school—until I realized the importance of true understanding.
Developing reading habits at an early age can work wonders. I wish I had spent more time in my school library, which remained largely deserted during my twelve years of education. Our school had a massive library, and I imagine it had an excellent collection of books. But I wouldn’t know for sure because I never really used it, except for the mandatory weekly visit, where most of us just sat through 40 minutes with no real engagement.
So, to put it bluntly—most of us do not develop the reading skills essential for success at all levels. And unfortunately, our children learn from us. If we don’t read, they don’t read. We want our kids to be super-intelligent, talented in dance, music, arts, or sports—all at the same time. But in the end, they turn out just like us. They remind us of exactly how we were in our childhood.
What Can Young Parents Do to Develop Better Habits in Their Kids?
Just Read!
Show your kids that you are a reader too. Buy good books and keep them within their reach. Create an environment at home where reading is encouraged. If your child is studying, try switching off the TV or putting aside your smartphone and pick up a book instead. Believe me, this small act makes a huge difference.
Reading helps children develop different perspectives and guides them in choosing the right path for their future. The best way to detox from distractions is to read informative content. Had I possessed strong reading and comprehension skills in my younger days, I might have cracked some of the most competitive exams with ease.
If you are a young parent, now is the perfect time to instill this magical habit in your children. It can significantly contribute to their mental growth and awareness. The best way to do this is to sit and read with them. Children learn most of their habits from their parents, and this can be a win-win situation—developing their reading skills while improving your own.
Changing the Conventional Approach to Studying
The traditional method of rote learning needs to be replaced with true understanding. Studying should feel like reading a story, regardless of the subject. When children can remember, articulate, and apply their knowledge in practical situations, learning becomes meaningful.
Thanks to technology, we now have more access to books than ever before. Apps and e-readers like Kindle make reading more convenient. However, for school-going children, physical books remain the best option.
Build a Small Library at Home
A small home library with books from various genres can be incredibly beneficial. Let the library grow with your kids. Keep adding relevant books to the collection, and periodically donate old ones to manage space.
Set a Dedicated Reading Time
Just like family time or me-time, establish a daily reading time where everyone reads a book of their choice. It could be anything—business, entertainment, fiction, magazines, or even comic books. When children see everyone around them reading, they naturally develop the same habit.
Remember how distracting it was to hear the TV in another room while studying for exams? Now imagine the reverse—if your child sees the entire family engrossed in books, they will feel encouraged to do the same.
Final Thoughts
Take a moment to reflect on your own schooling experience. How can you help your children in their developmental years? Along with extracurricular activities like art, sports, and music, reading and listening skills should be a top priority. While school curriculums haven’t changed significantly over the years, parents’ attitudes toward extracurriculars have improved, which is a great thing. Parents now recognize the importance of nurturing talents in various fields, but why is reading still neglected?
Why don’t we create a strong reading habit in our kids? Why are school libraries often empty? I’ll leave you with these questions to ponder. Try incorporating these simple methods into your routine and witness the improvement in your child’s comprehension and articulation skills within weeks. Happy reading!