The Importance of Good Reading Habits for K-12 Students

The act of reading reduces stress by 68% in just six minutes, as a study discovered. So, it is possibly the most effective and the least time-consuming way to calm one’s anxieties. The importance of good reading habits expands to many other domains for K-12 students and everyone, besides the domain of mental well-being. Now, what those domains are, and how the habit of reading books benefits beyond the curriculum and the examinations in educational institutions in India—these questions require serious consideration.

What Counts as the Habit of Reading?

When you say you have the habit of reading books, magazines, newspapers, or anything in particular, it means you take out time for doing that reading. It’s a part of your daily routine and involves at least half an hour of yours.

When you have the habit of reading books, you are more likely to explore different genres such as popular fiction, novels, motivational books, biographies, autobiographies, poetry, and educational books.

Now, what count as good reading habits is also quite fundamental.

What Count as Good Reading Habits?

The importance of good reading habits cannot be undermined for a variety of reasons. But first, what those habits are and how educational institutions in India strive to inculcate those habits in children need to be considered.

Good reading habits involve any or all of the following areas:

• In any 10+2 school, children get an idea from the very beginning that they should increase their vocabulary by looking for the meaning of any difficult word they come across while reading a book.

• Not only 10+2 school students but also every person, for that matter, should always have something to read.

• Avoiding distractions is very important and the entire reading time should be dedicated to reading only.

• It is also really good to make a to-read list for motivation and to try to be open to new genres.

• To make the kids aware of the importance of good reading habits, parents can keep something to read everywhere around the house; this act could keep the parents, as well as kids, motivated too.

• Writing reviews and asking critical questions are excellent ways to make the best out of one’s reading.

What is the Importance of Good Reading Habits?

Now how to read beyond the readings entailed by academics is a significant concern. It is better to read from hard copies than online. Why so? Because with the advent of digital platforms, people have started to face a lack of focus and they usually skim the content in place of reading.

If you want to avail yourself of the books you read, the traditional way of reading is perhaps the best yet. It saves you from excessive screen time too.

Wondering why all this importance should be given to reading books if they are not exclusively for the sake of academics? Here are a few reasons.

• Books give us knowledge and thereby increase our self-confidence.
• Books help us become innovative, creative, and full of ideas.
• They can help us relieve our anxieties and develop positive personalities.
• Books are always a great way to spend one’s leisure time because they provide food for thought.
• Books help us increase our focus and concentration.
• Books enhance our critical thinking and communication skills.
• Books improve our vocabulary, memory, imagination, and the ability to empathize.
• Books reduce stress and also improve the quality of our sleep.

There is a never-ending list of why the habit of reading is a good one.

So, what do you want to achieve by developing this habit? Which book are you planning to read next?

(Also, Read: Understanding Personality Development for Children in School)