Reading is undeniably one of the most vital skills for young learners . However, the rise of social media and smart devices has caused a worrying decline in reading habits among the students. On social platforms, the ‘reading’ people do is often fragmented and superficial: quick reactions like ‘h r u’ ‘ I am gud”I like this,’ ‘I don’t like that,’ ‘you’re wrong,’ ‘I’m right, ‘buy this,’ ‘don’t buy that.’ These brief interactions keep us updated on what everyone else is thinking, but they can be mentally draining and lack depth.
True intellectual growth requires more than these scattered bits of information. Deep reading involves engaging with a continuous thread of thought, contemplating, and understanding different perspectives. When we read extensively, our brains undergo significant learning, reorganizing neural pathways and allowing us to see the world in new and meaningful ways. Reading truly transforms our thinking.
As educators, how do you inspire your students to embrace extensive reading?