Learning trends and methods are continually evolving in the fast-paced world of international education. But against a backdrop of innovation, development, and progress, a few core ideas remain the same. And one of these is the fundamental importance of reading and student literacy.
The benefits of reading are indisputable. Reading nurtures our students’ early communication and language skills, laying the foundations for lifelong personal and academic success. Reading encourages concentration and focus, too. A love of literacy also opens doors to the world, igniting imaginations and sparking passions. There are so many benefits of reading – and so many reasons why we should build regular reading habits from an early age.
Why is reading important?
No one can argue the importance of student literacy. However, many don’t realise just how vital reading is to a child’s development.
A report by the American Pediatrics Association, for example, found that reading when young – and being read to when a baby or toddler – leads to increased academic success down the road.
Studies also show that those who read for pleasure perform better in literacy tests than those who do not. Regular readers also develop a broader vocabulary, have better general knowledge, and demonstrate a wider understanding of other cultures.
Additionally, reading helps to increase empathy and encourage understanding. A study of elementary, high school and university students in the UK and Italy has found that reading Harry Potter reduced prejudice, improving attitudes towards stigmatised groups.
Advancing cognitive development
A growing body of research indicates that reading literally changes your mind, too. Using MRI scans, researchers found that reading involves a complex network of circuits and signals in the brain. As your reading ability develops, these networks get stronger and more sophisticated.
Interestingly, the science also shows that areas of the brain ‘light up’ when reading. This is an occurrence often reflected on our students’ faces when they’re immersed in an absorbing picture book or novel!
The benefits of reading
At a young age, reading provides comfort and reassurance, joy and fun. As a child grows, reading develops their fundamental communication and language skills. Reading is also a passport to a thousand adventures!
Children who read:
•Have a larger and more extensive vocabulary.
•Perform better academically.
•Are more imaginative and creative.
•Are more empathetic.
•Gain a deeper understanding of the world.
•Have improved concentration levels.
•Develop their cognitive function.
•Have more advanced social skills.
What’s more, children who build a love of reading early on are more likely to take this habit with them into adulthood, bringing lifelong benefits – which may even include more years of life. Researchers at Yale University School of Public Health found that people over age 50 who read books regularly had a 20% lower risk of dying over the next 12 years compared with non-readers.
The benefits of reading on academic development
The research shows a clear correlation between reading and academic achievement, as discussed above. But how does this translate to our classrooms – and beyond?
These are just some of the tangible educational benefits of reading we see, particularly among our younger learners:
- Reading improves focus
In today’s digital world, attention spans are becoming shorter. Reading focuses a child’s attention on the task at hand, immersing them in information and improving their concentration and memory. At Champittet, we enjoy engaging story times that encourage our early years children to sit and listen. This translates into benefits such as better focus, a stronger attention span and a greater sense calm. - Reading stimulates creativity
When we watch a film or stream a programme, all the information is given to us on screen – we don’t need to imagine anything. A book, however, is simply words on a page. Our children need to use their imaginations to bring these stories to life – it’s like flexing a muscle that becomes stronger with every use. We then encourage this creativity to develop across the curriculum, particularly in the performing arts and STEAM subjects. - Reading broadens horizons
Reading gives our students access to new worlds, both real and fictional. It unlocks new interests, opening their eyes to different places, people, and ideas. It also gives our children an early understanding of alternative perspectives, broadening their horizons. - Reading improves communication
Reading books develops our children’s vocabularies and enhances their listening and speaking skills. When we enjoy what we’re doing, we remember it better, so children are more likely to retain knowledge gained through reading. Learning in this way feels effortless. - Reading builds confidence
A positive reading experience gives our children confidence. Children can identify with a character or a situation, recognising parts of their own lives in the books they read. Reading has lots of social benefits, too. We love to see our students talking to their classmates about a story they’ve read or enjoyed listening to.
Building reading habits from an early age
We love reading at Collège Champittet. And from an early age we place great emphasis on the importance of reading skills. We believe that learning to read is about listening and understanding, as well as working out what is printed on the page.
Reading lies at the heart of the curriculum, particularly for our younger students. In the early years, we expose our children to a wide range of themes through regular storytelling. Our children hear new sounds, words, and phrases, which they can then try for themselves, practising these new communication tools. This develops their vocabulary and improves their understanding, which is vital as they begin to read for themselves.
Creating a reading culture
We strive to create a strong reading culture across the entire school through a range of strategies, including:
•Cultivating a creative, engaging, and welcoming library space, which is filled with books for all interests.
•Organising peer-to-peer reading opportunities, where our older students read with our younger learners.
•Arranging school author visits to inspire students to read and write more.
•Organising trips and activities linked to books read in the classroom.
•Taking our students to engage with literary events, such as the Morges literary festival Le livre sur les quais.
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