With technology and its distractions, our world is speeding by. It has become quite challenging to engage in traditional activities like reading. But students should know that, even in the current digital era, books are still very important. Books are the unique gateway to knowledge that allows our creativity to run wild. Even though we spend a lot of time staring at screens, books—whether they are digital or printed—have some incredible powers. When we read a book, we’re forcing multiple parts of your brain to activate –a visual component, a comprehension component, and a memory component. The pace at which we read also varies and as a result, there’s no right or wrong pace of reading a book. With screens on the other hand, we’re passively consuming. With books, we’re forced to engage with the material, make sense of it, and more importantly, how each person makes sense of information varies wildly. No two people will read the same book in the same way. That’s the unique power that books hold.
The many benefits of reading books
Reading can help students discover something new, gain more knowledge of a subject, or just find delight in a story. Reading is beneficial to our brains as it greatly advances intellectual and personal development. Here are six reasons to develop a reading habit.
Improves focus and attention span
Unlike the distractions that come with digital media, reading a book requires constant deep mental participation. Students strengthen focus and concentration skills when they set aside time for uninterrupted reading. The longer we read a book, the more we reward concentration over distraction. Reading more will help children develop a longer attention span, which will make it simpler to concentrate on challenging tasks.
Builds vocabulary and language comprehension
Books are unmatched tools for language development. The English language alone contains over a million words. Being able to communicate successfully calls for knowing how to use the right vocabulary in any given situation. Pupils learn the context of a word’s usage when they come across unfamiliar words while reading. Their vocabulary grows as children read more because they are exposed to more languages. This speeds up word learning. Even better, they pick up new words more quickly the more they read. These incredible advantages can be seen with just fifteen minutes of reading per day.
Strengthens memory and cognitive function
According to studies, reading helps us remember things better because it keeps our brain active. Tracking the information or plot, depending on the book type, keeps both short-term and long-term memory active. In addition to boosting episodic memory, reading also improves working memory, which is the capacity to retain information in the brain while performing various tasks.
Reduces stress and promotes relaxation
Six minutes of reading can reduce stress by up to 68%. Speaking of stress relief, reading provides a distraction from the issues of the day. It can help students relax their muscles and lower heart rate. Similar to a mindfulness exercise, the brain is in a focused state that lowers stress and encourages relaxation. This escape into a book not only provides a break from everyday stressors but also promotes mental clarity and cognitive function. By focusing on a story rather than a stressful situation, books can also help students isolate healthily.
Sparks imagination and original thought
Books have the charmed power to boost our imaginations and take us to different eras, places, and viewpoints. Despite the fact that the left brain processes language, researchers have discovered that reading, particularly fiction, activates the right side of the brain. Since it allows the reader to picture or imagine the subject matter. Hence, reading improves right-sided brain connectivity that helps students be more creative and find answers more quickly.
Motivates through stories and role models
Books often introduce readers to various characters with a range of life experiences and inspirational stories. Gaining knowledge about the qualities of successful leaders and other people’s experiences can inspire students. These stories have the power to motivate dedication and aspiration. According to research, our brains light up in the same locations when we read about an experience as when we actually go through those things. This teaches children that they can imagine what it’s like to be in someone else’s shoes and allows them to experience emotions or perhaps even their first encounters with empathy.
Tips & tricks to build a reading habit in the digital era
It is still possible to develop a strong reading habit in the modern world, even though digital devices often capture our attention. The faculty at DPS Warangal, the best CBSE school in India, believes that practicing minor changes can bring about a big impact in a student’s reading lifestyle. Below are some of them.
Replace short screen sessions with short reading sessions.
During spare time, students should think about picking up a book instead of a phone. Over time, even fifteen minutes a day of reading can have a big impact. Take these short reading sessions as chances to learn something new or lose yourself in a story. This is more productive than what one might do during a short internet break.
Create a distraction-free reading zone.
Advise students to locate a peaceful place, where they can devote all of their attention to reading. Ask them to reduce interruptions by putting devices out of sight and turning off notifications. Students can participate in reading without being distracted by the digital world with the help of this special space.
Curate a reading list that aligns with personal interests.
Students should select books that truly draw them in and intrigues them. Choosing subjects one is eager about will improve their reading experience. This is regardless of the choice for science, fiction, history, or biographies. Pupils can find new interests and maintain an interesting reading experience by trying different genres and authors.
Join online or offline book clubs to stay engaged.
Making connections with other readers can give motivation and a feeling of belonging. Talking about books with other people can help children grasp the subject matter better and open their eyes to new ideas. Furthermore, book clubs expose them to authors and books they might not have otherwise come across.
Set manageable daily reading goals.
Begin by setting small, manageable targets, like reading a specific number of pages or for a certain duration every day. With this method, reading becomes a sustainable habit rather than a chore. Students can strengthen their dedication to keep going by acknowledging these small achievements.
The wide range of technology available in the world today is taxing. The Internet may provide us with plenty of information, some of which may be factual and some of which may not. But it does not instruct us on how to think. This is why it is ever so important for students to develop critical thinking especially if they’re online. Reading improves a student’s capacity to focus and think clearly while also expanding their imagination. Books provide a more profound method of learning and relaxing in a world where screens are everywhere. Thus, reading continues to be important. They greatly boost our capacity to concentrate, increase our vocabulary, and build our memory. Reading also builds emotional intelligence and empathy while providing a stress-relieving redirection. They are proven to be good resources for mental and personal development for children since they spark imagination and support lifelong learning.