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Reading is one of the best ways to develop children’s cognitive skills. Reading is a gradual process that involves physiological, psychological and emotional factors. Therefore, it is very important to introduce children to read at an early age.
A study published by David Kidd and Emanuele Castano states that reading narrative fiction makes people develop greater empathy, social perception and emotional intelligence. This is because thanks to the literature we can let our imagination fly and put ourselves in the place of the characters.
In addition, the Ministry of Culture has implemented the Plan for the Promotion of Reading, which aims to turn reading into a real social habit. Public administrations, civil organizations, families, schools, universities, libraries, writers, translators, publishers, printers, bookstores… All must contribute from their competences and resources to the promotion of reading.
For this reason, it is essential to instill reading in children from an early age, but how do we do it at Casvi International American School?
Creating the habit of reading in children can be a complicated task. It requires the involvement of parents, teachers and even the rest of the family. Therefore, it is important to follow a series of tips:
-Don’t impose reading. If they are forced to read, the opposite effect will be achieved and they will not see it as something to enjoy but to reject.
-Understand reading as a game. It is necessary to teach them the playful and friendly side of reading. In this way, they will approach it on their own initiative.
-Give them freedom of choice. It would be very positive that children choose the book they want to read within the adapted books recommended for each age.
-Establish a daily routine. It is necessary to find a daily space to read. Creating a habit associated with enjoying a book is the best way to encourage reading.
-Set an example. If children see that their parents, grandparents or teachers read and enjoy a book, they will surely seek to imitate them.
“There is no enjoyment like reading.”
At Casvi International American School we are very involved in reading and for this reason, we have activities that are very well received. Every year, we celebrate two Book Fairs where students, teachers and all the staff have at their disposal books from the most prestigious American and English publishers.
We also celebrate Book Day when some parents come to the school to read different books or stories in different languages. Also, students from higher grades visit the classes of the younger ones to do the same.
In addition, in Pre-K1 the teachers begin to teach the children the letters, their sounds and phonics and they are able to read complete words at a very young age. On the other hand, students are encouraged to make up their own stories following the illustrations in the books. In this way, one of the attributes of the International Baccalaureate, that of inquiry, is strengthened. Also, up to Grade 5 they have a weekly library hour where the specialized teacher carries out different activities such as reading stories.
Reading has many advantages for the cognitive, emotional and psychological development of people. That is why, as we say, it is very important to encourage reading from an early age. Some of these advantages are:
-Develops their language skills. With reading, children are exposed to different types of vocabulary. In addition, for those children who speak more than one language, as is the case of the students at Casvi International American School, it is an easy way to improve fluency.
-It exercises the brain. Reading has a direct impact on their brain activity.
-It fosters curiosity. When they read a story they ask questions, they want to know more about the characters or what is going on.
-It increases concentration. They will learn to stay focused on a task for long periods of time. This will also help them in school classes.
-It develops imagination and creativity. Through reading they can be transported to other worlds, places or times.
“Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.”
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