Over the years, there has been a gradual decline of reading habit in children and at present it has almost slipped into oblivion. The causes are multiple; the burden of text books together with after-school tutorials are the most apparent reasons that have led to aversion for reading among children. However, out of all the causes the dearth of quality children's reading material in our society has affected the reading culture to a major extent. Besides, the social life pattern of our society has so radically transformed over the years that it is now a challenge for parents to support and instill love for reading in households. Most importantly, the electronic media has so much to offer to the children of the present age that books or any reading material cease to attract attention. In this regard, facilitation and a collaborative effort on the part of parents and teachers and the community as a whole inclusive of the publishing community, is imperative.
From the transitory period of early childhood education through school years, a child develops choices; likes and dislikes including positive and negative attitude towards reading. It is rightly believed that home environment largely determines a child’s interests in the long run. To elaborate, at an early stage parents are the role models of a child whom he identifies with and tends to follow their personality traits, outlook and preferences. The values about importance of reading if shared by parents with children are likely to bring about a positive impact on a child’s attitude towards reading. Hence, encouragement from home environment is fundamental for which parents are expected to analyze their priorities and preferences. Let the child know how enjoyable it is to learn from reading a book, newspaper article, magazine story etc. The very interest in reading will consequently get transferred to the child. Simply by observing the parents read will motivate the child appreciate the value of reading. Therefore, it is observed that in households where reading is a common practice, children naturally tend to develop interest in reading as well.
While highlighting the issue of reading habit in children, the expected role of schools cannot be overlooked. In most of the cases, parents while sending their children to schools have a lot of expectations from institutions in terms of good conducive environment and quality education that cater to an overall development of personality of the child. Hence, utmost sincerity and dedication on the part of school management and teachers is required for sure and encouragement for reading is one of the many qualities that demands facilitation from the school environment. It is apparent from research that children who read a lot are fast learners and are able to absorb concepts comparatively much easily.
Hence, it is recommended by renowned educationists of Europe and the United States of America that class lessons should be planned out in a way that involves thorough reading, research and analytical thinking on the part of students. In the light of that, activity centered teaching strategy proves to be considerably fruitful, effective and durable for attaining a positive change in aptitude and attitude of the learner. For students of lower levels, it is recommended to have regular story sessions which would indeed acclimatize them for reading. Similarly, at somewhat a higher level, frequently held group discussions and class presentations on topics related to ethics, general knowledge, environment, current affairs, science and technology facilitate students for extensive reading enabling them to open up and refine their critical thinking, assessment and reasoning abilities.
A weekly assignment on book/story review is yet one of the key tools by which students, to a greater extent, can get accustomed to reading while simultaneously enhancing their written expression. Besides, book reading should be made compulsory in all schools where students on a weekly basis must issue one book at least from the school library. Moreover, it would be highly encouraging for students if guided by teachers in selection of a quality reading material that caters to their interest and mental level. In addition to that, emphasis should also be laid upon newspaper reading for which students can be assigned to keep a record of important and interesting news items to be discussed and shared with other students in presence of the teacher during a classroom session; this would also make their learning more interactive and a pleasurable experience.
Hence, teaching-learning process should be so designed that it opens avenues for the child existing beyond textbooks, giving special preference to innovative thinking. It is to be realized that education is no more a static process; it is a dynamic, continuous and lifelong process demanding adaptability to the rapidly changing times. Social competence and optimum individual growth are attainable if an individual is all set to mould himself as per requirement of situation. Therefore, infusing love for reading is one of the prerequisites to quality education.
Notwithstanding the role of educational institutes and home environment with respect to curtailing the declining reading culture in our society in general and among our children in specific, the committed and unswerving role on the part of publishers is the need of the hour.
In India one finds a wide chain of publishing houses thriving for a very long time, many of which are working exclusively in the sphere of children's publications. It is encouraging to learn that children's books are available in the market at reasonable rates also. It is even more fulfilling to see the efforts of Indian publishers towards children's publications which have powerful content supported by colourful illustrations together with striking presentation value in terms of design. Besides, there are many non-profit trusts in India which are publishing high quality books for children at affordable rates and in multiple Indian languages. This demonstrates how much importance they have in their society for children's literature. The dedicated endeavour on the part of Indian publishing community at large has attracted considerable readership in India especially in the lower middle section of the Indian society.
Unfortunately in Pakistan not much effort has been invested so far towards development of children's literature in particular. The rationale behind stating the example of India here is to accentuate the need for a conscious and consolidated effort on the part of the publishing community of Pakistan at large towards the objective of thorough research and development of children's literature.
Reading is the best quality we can cultivate in our children; this can only be possible if the content is substantially fulfilling which children of today's world are able to relate to and enjoy to the fullest.
Sarah Haris
