Reading - A habit to cultivate

“There are many little ways to enlarge your child's world. Love of books is the best of all.” –Jacqueline Kennedy

We all want our children to read books but they always look at it as a tiresome task. How do we make them fall in love with books? The secret is making the process fun, allowing them to discover the element of amusement that will ensure they never let go of books again.

Why is Reading a Must-Have Habit?

Reading expands the way you think. As the American novelist Annie Proulx said, “Writing comes from reading, and reading is the finest teacher of how to write.” But the benefits go even deeper than that:

• Communication Mastery: Research shows that reading regularly helps children build better vocabulary and improve communication skills.

• Confidence: The knowledge gained

  helps children become confident and shape their personality.

• Academic Success: Regular readers can have a better understanding of academic topics, as reading is the foundation of literacy skills.

In this blog, let's look at how to add the element of fun so that reading becomes a joyful part of your child's routine.

The Science of Reading: How Books Build Better Brains

The act of reading is one of the most complex activities the human brain performs, actively stimulating multiple neurological pathways. Scientific evidence demonstrates that cultivating a reading habit is essential for cognitive development in the areas of:

• Neural Plasticity: Regular reading creates new neural connections and strengthens existing ones, enhancing the brain's ability to process language and learn new concepts efficiently. This improved flexibility is key to lifelong learning.

• Executive Function: Reading is a powerful exercise for the brain's "control panel." It boosts the three core executive functions: Working Memory (holding plot points and details), Cognitive Flexibility (switching perspective between characters and understanding context shifts), and Inhibitory Control (maintaining focus and ignoring distractions). These skills are essential for all aspects of planning, organizing, and academic success.

• Empathy and Social Cognition: By engaging with narratives, children mentally simulate characters' experiences and emotions. This cognitive simulation enhances their Theory of Mind—the ability to understand that others have different beliefs and feelings (Premack & Woodruff, 1978)—making them more empathetic and socially aware.

  
  

3 Ways to Make Reading a Permanent Habit at Home

Now, let's look at how to add the element of fun so that reading becomes a joyful part of your child's routine.

1. Create a Conducive Reading Corner

Make reading a permanent habit by setting up a dedicated, appealing space:

• The Environment: Select a reading corner at home that is free from any distractions. Ensure it has plenty of light and a comfortable chair.

• Ownership: Give your child the liberty of choosing their own books so a sense of ownership sets in.

2. Make Real-Life Connections

Help children connect what they read to the real world, which naturally generates interest.

• Follow Curiosity: Try reading about space before visiting a Planetarium, or reading about Dinosaurs before visiting a fossil museum.

• Explore: Visit libraries and reading clubs to expose them to various other resources.

3. Read Aloud and Set a Routine

• Excitement through Voice: Reading aloud with children brings excitement to them. Adopting voice modulation while the book is read adds to the fun.

• Start Small: Develop a reading ritual at home by fixing a daily reading time, even if it is just for 10 minutes. It is always good to start small and be consistent.

Nightly Peace: Reading a good book before bedtime is a good practice that brings peace of mind and a good night’s sleep.

The CIHW Solution: Introducing Little Book Beez (LBB)

While a supportive home environment is essential, many children benefit from structured, expert-guided intervention to solidify their reading habits.

The LBB program is an innovative, specialized offering, provided by the ‘Center for Integrative Health and Wellbeing’. It is designed to bridge the gap between reluctant reading and consistent habit formation by empowering facilitators and parents to inspire children to develop a 'reading and reflective' mindset.

LBB provides engaging reading sessions for children aged 6-10, based on recent scientific advances to inspire young children to cultivate a reading mindset. In addition to improving core literacy, the program focuses on developing higher-order abilities such as Abstract Thinking, Problem Solving, and Creativity, and works to strengthen crucial Parent-child Interactions surrounding academics.

Conclusion

As the quote by Kennedy reminds us, cultivating a love for books is one of the best ways to enlarge your child's world. Reading truly is the foundation of literacy skills. By trying one of these simple tips today—whether it's setting up a cozy corner or exploring the Little Book Beez program—you are actively shaping a positive, lifelong habit for your child.

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References:

1. Diwan, S. K. (2020). Reading Habits and its Impact on Students Academic Performance: Case Study. International Journal of Library and Information Studies. https://www.ijlis.org/articles/reading-habits-and-its-impact-on-students-academic-performance-case-study.pdf

2. Premack, D., & Woodruff, G. (1978). Does the chimpanzee have a theory of mind? Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 1(4), 515-526.