Imagine there are two school-going individuals. One of them has a keen interest in reading novels, travelogues, etc, other than their textbooks. While the other student sticks to their textbooks since they focus on better grades, who do you think will have a bigger vocabulary and knowledge about a variety of subjects?
True education is more than good grades and degrees. Surely, textbooks are a great source of information and knowledge. But academic textbooks usually have a set of curated pieces of information. And thus, only reading textbooks can be very limiting for a young student’s curious mind. To truly gain knowledge in various topics and subjects, developing the habit of reading books beyond textbooks is a must.
Developing a habit of reading exposes students’ minds to different global issues, facts, and perspectives. Even reading novels and poems have its own linguistic and cognitive benefits for students.
Let’s take a look at some of the most essential benefits of reading books beyond academic textbooks!
Increased creativity, imagination, and memory
Books, especially novels, are a great way to boost the creativity and imagination of the students. Since they are reading through it and simultaneously trying to comprehend the narrative in the book, their brain starts making vivid pictures. With regular reading habits, the capability to imagine, visualize, and create something new increases since the brain is already used to it. Since there are a lot of stimuli, reading books also improves memory, helping students to retain the knowledge they gain.
Improved linguistic skills
Reading has always been known as the ultimate linguistic booster. Reading can help students get acquainted with the languages that they are trying to learn. It can also help them construct better sentences and have more control over their writing and syntax. The improved linguistics eventually help the students speak better and overcome social barriers.
Reading makes you smart
Reading outside textbooks helps expand the students’ perspectives and knowledge about global and general events. For example, reading a book where the backdrop is of a French village can help understand the regular life of people in the region. This might help the students in their academics and even beyond it.
Practicing extended reading can also help students since it gives them a scope to understand their academic topics better and in more detail.
New vocabulary
Reading exposes students to new words and phrases that they might not have come across in classrooms. With a growing vocabulary, the students can start writing and expressing their ideas better. This can be especially beneficial for students who are trying to learn a new language.
Reading motivates you to read more
Many avid readers will tell you that reading is addictive. Thus, when a student reads their first-ever book, they actually enter a cycle of virtue. The feeling of achievement that comes from finishing a book motivates them to read more and more. Just make sure that the first book is not just interesting but is also compelling to read so that the reader actually enjoys reading through it.
Reading books other than textbooks is not only something fun but it is also very important. The rewarding feeling of reading through a book can motivate students to read more. The confidence and autonomy that reading books bring can even compel students to actually read their textbooks more and comprehend them better.
Remember to start with books that are appropriate and comprehensible for the reader’s age and capabilities. This makes reading more fruitful while encouraging them to continue reading and retain what they have learned.
At Great Principals, we hope to bring about a necessary change in the ways of Indian Education. Each new generation is far more capable than the last, and we owe it to evolution. But as humans evolve, we are required to transcend from our old ways and look at things from a different perspective, one that shapes the untapped minds of the children for the ever-growing world.
We are here to capture the journeys of marvelous School Leaders and Principals through an interactive talk show. We hope to inspire the parents who are the true changemakers in a child’s growing life. Our goal is to bring about a much-needed change in the way we educate our kids. Feel free to check out our episodes on YouTube www.youtube.com/c/GreatPrincipals
