Betting completely involved in a book can help us relax and feel calm, especially during this time when people are grappling with the effects of Covid-19. Experts say using your free time to read can be helpful. When reading, it means one is learning, growing and at the same time enjoying. Just as a famous quote by Dr Seuss, an American author, ‘the more you read, the more things you know. The more that you learn, the more places you will go.’ Reading is fundamental in helping us find and convey information. It’s an essential skill that’s developed at a very young age. Jean Marie Habimana, the director of operations and partnership at Ready for Reading, a local non-governmental organisation in Eastern Province, says reading for both young people and adults has many benefits, but it’s a skill that even a lot of adults don’t use enough. Apart from the necessity of reading to get by in today’s world, he says reading too can contribute positively to our knowledge advancement. “Reading is a gateway to learning anything about everything. It helps you discover new things and educate yourself in any area of life you are interested in. In fact, in this error where things have been simplified by the internet, one can get access to different materials they want on different websites,” he says. When we watch television or a movie, all the information is given to us on the screen – there is nothing we need to imagine however, when it comes to reading a book in its pure form, our minds have to do the work, imagining the words coming to life. This does wonders to develop our creativity and imagination. For young people, Marie Ange Ndizeye, a kindergarten teacher says giving them access to a world of words is one of the best ways to improve their vocabulary and enhance their spelling skills which help them not only at a young age but also in their adulthood. She further points out that when one learns or rather gains new knowledge through enjoyment, it has a tendency to stick and doesn’t even feel like work or task to them. “If this is done, both their written and spoken communication abilities for such individuals can be improved through regular reading. Learning new concepts, discovering exciting places and understanding others’ perspectives is key to building a well-rounded self-image,” she says. On top of this, Habimana says reading also helps in boosting one self-esteem from being able to read well to even expressing yourself in public. “It’s at early ages that children can be most easily influenced, and a positive reading experience can do wonders to help them form a positive perception of themselves. Reading also has social benefits. An individual can discuss stories with others and form friendships over shared interests,” he adds. Besides, reading also focuses on one’s attention entirely on the task at hand, and at the same time it also immerses you in the information, improving concentration and memory of what you read.
