For academic success, reading is an essential skill and a habit that is best developed early in life. Young learners who read daily, performs well academically. In fact, reading has been shown to improve concentration, problem-solving abilities and memory, all of which are important for academic success.
Children who read frequently and extensively develop better cognitive and linguistic skills. Studies indicate that children who start reading at an early age and read often perform better in tests of reading comprehension, vocabulary and general knowledge.
In addition to enhancing cognitive and linguistic skills, reading also improves analytical skills. For example, reading mystery novels helps develop skills which supports children in their problem-solving abilities.
In today’s digital age, cultivating a reading habit among young children has become a challenge, due to the distractions from social media and smart devices. Presently most children spend their free time on their laptops, tablets and smartphones by scrolling through social media, or playing games.
To encourage a reading habit among children, educators and parents should create a favorable environment that will promote reading. Variety of reading materials such as books, newspapers and magazines should be provided to young learners so that they will develop an interest on reading.
With guest librarians, schools should host informative sessions, either in person or through digital channels, to introduce students to physical and digital resources which they are interested in, thereby igniting an interest for reading.
Furthermore, taking students on a guided tour of established libraries in their city can provide them with an orientation to the available reading resources and inspire them to leverage these resources.
The impact of reading habit on academic performance can be seen in many aspects of learning. Such as critical thinking, comprehension, and language acquisition. Children who read often develop a more extensive vocabulary, which allows them to understand and communicate more efficiently.
As they progress through their academic journey and into their careers, to be successful in life, strong reading skills are essential. Reading is an important skill which is required in many fields such as, engineering, technology, mathematics, science and humanities. The benefits of reading habits among young learners extend beyond academic performance. Reading also helps young learners to develop creativity and understanding. Moreover, reading can serve as a source of enjoyment, relaxation and entertainment, which reduces stress and promotes mental health
