Why your child needs to go to a library?

My colleagues and I recently reviewed research on early education in Singapore that shows that the home environment is clearly influential in early education and should not be overlooked. For example, with increased literacy activities, such as, number of books at home, as well as the frequency of shared book reading and library visits, children are less likely to have socioemotional and behavioral difficulties. This means that the earlier a child gets access to information, the earlier he/she starts developing his literacy skills.

Visiting a library with your child is a great way to encourage a love of books and reading. Libraries provide open access to a great variety of high quality, selected resources, information, and tools, in all formats including digital.

Libraries can spread joy and love for reading in children

Countries are realizing the importance of libraries and providing their children with open access to adequate resources and media to facilitate reading and literacy. The Old Library in Dubai, the oldest English language library in Dubai, is one such example. This 50-year-old library is home to about 25,000 books and is run by a strong community of volunteers. During my visit there, I was pleasantly surprised to see the library packed with children of all nationalities, choosing books to read, enthusiastic children and youngsters, looking through the shelves full of curiosity and eagerness. The library has a great selection of books that opens a world of fun, enjoyment and learning for children, young people, and adults. Apart from a vast collection of books, what also attracts families to this library are the regular storytelling sessions. Storytelling is a popular event, encouraging preschool children to use and enjoy the library and providing a lure to older children during school holidays.

The Singapore Central Library is another great example of how libraries can attract families with children. Easy access through public transport, and welcoming staff and surroundings of the library has encouraged locals and even expats to visit the library on a regular basis. For me, the most convenient part was the fact that I could return my borrowed books at different library branches. Choosing the branch closest to us to return the borrowed books saved us a lot of time and inconvenience.

Digital resources in libraries attract children’s interest and attention

Many children and youth are hooked on social media and technology; hence it can be increasingly difficult for a child to pick up a book instead of their phone. The new HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Library (MBRL) in Dubai is a great example of how technology is being used in libraries to encourage reading, especially among children in UAE. Because small children have only limited vocabulary, reading plain written books is very difficult for them and is not very effective. For example, the MBRL children’s library provides a robotic storytelling service for children. A robot combines a digital picture book with added robot voices and body postures/movements that match the mood of stories. In my recent visit to the children’s library, I noticed that because this robot told the story and narrated it like a human being with body movements, it attracted children’s interest and attention. Through such services, MBRL is sure to attract more children and their parents to come to the library.

To encourage good reading habits in children, the National Library Board (NLB), Singapore has a reading program called Book Bugs that utilizes a collectible card game to encourage children to visit libraries, read more and to find joy in reading. Children can visit any participating public library to collect Book Bugs cards by borrowing library items, attending library programs, and completing book-related activities. A complete set comprises 60 basic and 20 shiny Book Bugs cards. To facilitate the collection of the cards, Book Bugs booths are set up across 23 public libraries during the weekends. Children just show their book borrowing receipts at the booths to redeem a packet of 2 Book Bugs cards for every 8 books borrowed. Such a scheme has helped in attracting children and their families to libraries.

How to encourage library visits

Find a library close to your place: Locating a library that is close to your house or the area you live in makes it more accessible. Sometimes, if the distance is too much, you may not make that trip to the library you had set aside time for.

Set aside some time: I have made it a bi-monthly ritual to visit a library with my family. Decide on a day of the week or month and make it a family date!

Read together: The best way for parents to help their children become better readers is to read to them-even when they are very young. In my recent article on shared-book reading, I highlight that shared book reading with parents at home encourages language and literacy among children. Read together whether at home or in libraries. This not only encourages your child to read but you also get that special bonding time with your loved ones.

Be a reading role model: ?Children do what they see. When you go to the library to get books for kids make sure you grab one for yourself. Children get the message that reading is something you look forward to doing.

Have a library at home: Being raised in a home with library has a big impact on the level of children’s education. A two-decade long study has shown that mere presence of home library increases children’s academic success, vocabulary development, attention, and job attainment. Make books accessible to children at home. Have a corner in their room or in your house with a bookshelf, or a room that you can call a library.

Libraries are a fantastic place to take your child to instill the joy and love for reading and of course if he/she is already an avid reader!