What you should look out for, if your child isn’t a reader
From our creative partner in Gurugram, Haryana just outside of Delhi in India
When was the first time you read a story to your child, if you have at all? (Before I’m accused of taking a moral high ground, I confess I did not). Parenting preparation in India does not tell you about the benefits of reading to your kids as early as they are … wait for it…. six months old.
Science proves that engaging with storytelling, specifically reading, is incredibly helpful for a child’s growth. But as a young mother I was more concerned with changing diapers and feeding the little bundle of joy(s) than I was excited to read to them. Oh! Just thinking about those days, my heart feels warm, when I could hold them in my arms. Those golden days when I was the whole universe for the little one. Now, my elder one is taller than I am and forget about me hugging her! That’s a big no, no in the teenage world. Let me hide the mother in me before she ruins the essence of this blog.
For the last two blogs which can be accessed here and here, we have been building our case with respect to the science behind reading or for that matter science behind any sort of learning. We concluded by acknowledging the role curiosity plays in our learning journey.
This converges to the point that if somehow, we can make our children become curious about books, half the battle is won. For that to happen, both parents and children must create a sacred space that arouses curiosity. This is exactly why everyone says that we must role model and read before expecting the same behaviour from a child. That’s what creating an ambience helps with. Most of the time reading happens automatically if we create an environment and leave. Let the child indulge in the joys of reading. Let them explore at their own pace. In case it works, bravo, you’ve nailed it! It is an ideal stage to be in.
But what about many of us who are not into reading? What about kids who are simply not interested? Are they less capable in any way? How do we make them read? I have been asked this question a thousand times. And I just have one answer to it. It’s absolutely fine to be a non- reader. Be cool about it.
Instead, I would request parents to pay close attention. What piques your child’s interest? What are they learning in twenty-four hours? Is their learning restricted to social media or Netflix? What sort of posts, reels or shows? It's garbage in, garbage out always. Our job as parents is to follow the curiosity of the child to decode the learning pattern.
I will re-emphasize, it’s not the reading that we should be worried about. It’s the learning that we must tap into. A child can learn through many ways and one of those ways can be digital too. Don’t you feel that reading is a little overrated? Is reading the only gateway to learning? Unquestionably, it is the most prestigious. Reading is a delightful journey. I, for one, credit this one hobby which is now more of a passion, for everything in my life. But in all sincerity, I doubt it’s the only one. Is there anything in life that we can’t learn if we aren’t into reading? I would challenge that.
Let me elaborate a bit. I must admit, I wasn’t open to this perspective until my dear friend who happens to be my life partner portrayed it for me. Well, he happened to be an avid reader in his youth. His book collection became mine when we were married. However, as an adult working in the demanding corporate world, reading took a backseat. You might wonder if his learning dipped? Not at all. In fact, he is learning every moment without reading a single word. And he can beat a reader in many discussions without trouble. How can he do that?
Let's say he develops a curiosity for Bitcoin. On his way to work, he will listen to a variety of Bitcoin-related podcasts until he has consumed all the information they have to give. He will simultaneously view a variety of YouTube channels about Bitcoin and crypto currencies. He will rationally sort the data. He will question them. He will next talk to his friends, who share his curiosity. He will evaluate his understanding with someone who may have finished a course or read a book on the subject. And voilà! He will have developed some authority on the subject. And it all started with a simple inquisitiveness!
Thus, let us work towards fanning the flame of curiosity among our children. Let them nurture the wonderment they were born with. Let them inquire ceaselessly. Learning will happen automatically. Often, if the child develops an eagerness to learn, it automatically leads to picking a book. And before they know it, books would have become an integral part of the learning curve. That’s the default phase when many readers are born. But you needn't worry if it doesn’t happen. Chill! Each to his own journey.
With these ideas, I would like to rest my thoughts. I hope they sparked some curiosity in you. Reading and the science behind it is a topic that is wide and deep. The science of reading from the perspective of brain development, the drawbacks of reading (yes, there are many!), the paradox of my own reading journey and that of my daughter, as well as the bittersweet relationship between education and reading, will all be covered in the upcoming blogs. Stay tuned! Hope to meet you soon. :)
About the Author: Dr. Shruti Shankar Gaur describes herself as a nonplussed mother, a Luna to her Alpha, a passionate entrepreneur, a novice thinker, a hard-core dreamer, a scruffy poet, a true seeker, and an unusual sinner. She bares her soul in her blog: Pain & Bliss - Contact the author: https://linktr.ee/dr.shrutishankargaur
 | A guest post by
|