Vietnam Book Day April 21: Nurturing children's love of books

Books are the treasure trove of human knowledge. Reading books not only helps people acquire a wealth of knowledge and expand their minds, but also brings many other benefits.

However, with the strong development of the Internet as well as audio-visual devices (iPad, TV...) there are many games and videos with vivid, modern images, making children tend to be lazy to read.

To contribute to building a reading culture, one of the main subjects that need attention is children, because forming the habit of reading from an early age will help create a generation that loves books and is attached to books.

Maintain and form the habit of reading books

After 2 years (from 2023 to present), "Weekend Reading Corner" for children of Kim Dong Publishing House every Saturday has become a familiar and meaningful meeting place for children.

Participating in the "Weekend Reading Corner," young readers will be able to read books, participate in interactive activities, do science experiments, gain knowledge, and learn new skills... with the companionship of experts, writers, poets, artists, and editors.

For example, on April 13, the Organizing Committee brought to young readers the book "Put down your phone" by author Bui Phuong Tam.

Not only does the book aim to encourage parents to "put down their phones" and play with their children, it also suggests that we seek answers to questions such as: What kind of environment do we need to create to invite children to play on their own? What kind of objects open up activities? What kind of play is appropriate for what age?...

Or on April 20, the book "The Little Boy with a Round Belly Full of Faith" will be available to young readers. Here, children will listen to the story of the little boy with a round belly full of faith who always keeps his faith despite facing difficulties.

From that story, children will learn how to overcome adversity and believe in themselves; at the same time, learn from books, play with friends and share cherished things to grow up.

With the series of events "Weekend Reading Corner," Kim Dong Publishing House hopes to contribute to forming and maintaining children's reading habits and further promote the development of reading culture in the community.

Ho Chi Minh City Book Street (Nguyen Van Binh Street, District 1) has been in operation since 2016, the first book street to be deployed nationwide and is an effective model in spreading reading culture to the public, especially young people (2024). (Photo: VNA)

Together with publishers, authorities, sectors, many localities and schools have created reading locations and spaces for children.

In Bac Kan, in 2024, the Provincial Library will launch a reading space for children, serving readers from Monday to Friday every week, in the morning from 7:30-11:00, in the afternoon from 13:30-16:00.

Not simply a friendly reading space where children can explore the endless source of knowledge in the pages of books, this place also helps children connect and interact with modern technological devices, enhance their creativity, and access information technology; this is also a space to organize children's activities such as playing, exchanging, studying, group activities...

Or the story of Bui Thi Xuan High School, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, since April 2023, has applied punishment to students who violate regulations. Instead of having to write a self-criticism, copy punishments, and do community service, students will be asked to go to the library, find a book to read, and then write down their feelings.

This activity is very much agreed and enjoyed by the students, because it helps them appreciate literature and arouses love for grandparents and parents.

According to Mr. Huynh Thanh Phu, the school's principal, the implementation of this form of punishment aims to encourage and develop a reading culture in schools, thereby helping children appreciate literature and arouse love for grandparents and parents.

When children love their family and everyone, they will know how to appreciate life and adjust their behavior. This also helps to reduce school violence.

Implementing Directive No. 28-CT/TW dated December 25, 2023 of the Politburo on strengthening the care, education and protection of children to meet the requirements of developing a prosperous and happy country, on January 15, 2024, the Central Secretariat of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union issued a Directive on continuing to improve reading culture for children and adolescents.

The Directive requires the Standing Committees of the Provincial and Municipal Youth Unions and the Provincial and Municipal Pioneer Councils to proactively advise and coordinate with the Education and Training sector and relevant agencies to periodically organize programs and activities to form and develop the habit of reading books and newspapers among children, continue to promote and effectively implement the movement "Read and follow the Pioneer newspaper;" regularly organize activities to commend and reward collectives, individuals, and typical children with outstanding achievements and active participation in the movement.

Youth Union and Young Pioneer organizations at all levels need to increase the organization of playgrounds and activities to arouse passion, form reading habits and develop reading culture for children.

Focus on widely propagating to teenagers, children and young team members about the meaning and importance of reading books, newspapers and the movement "Read and follow the Team newspaper"; guide and support children to participate in writing groups, young radio clubs, children's poetry writing clubs; organize for team members and children to actively participate in thematic activities "A beautiful story, a good book, a shining example every week", and the playground "Reading books for the future."

Let the love of books seep into life naturally

Introducing and promoting books in response to Reading Culture Day was performed in an attractive and engaging manner by disabled students at Xa Dan Secondary School (Hanoi). (Photo: VNA)

Not only the efforts from the authorities, the family plays a particularly important role in nurturing the love of books for children. After finishing the evening chores, before going to bed, Ms. Hoa's family (in Hai Ba Trung district, Hanoi) spends time reading books.

While their parents choose novels or philosophy books, two children Tung (10 years old) and Lan (6 years old) choose children's books to read.

While Tung could choose thick books like: "Harry Potter", "Sans Famille", "Little Nicolas" ..., little Lan chose children's stories with many beautiful illustrations like "Tip the Mouse", "Chicken Goes to School" ...

Ms. Hoa said that she had trained her children to have this habit since kindergarten. When they were 2-3 years old, she spent time reading them good children's stories in the evenings and answering their curious questions.

As children grow up, they will have a love for books. On birthdays or holidays, the whole family will go to bookstores together to choose good books.

As one of the authors whose works are loved by young people, writer Nguyen Nhat Anh believes that to spread the love and culture of reading to children, practical actions are needed right in the family.

For example, parents not only give toys, but also books to their children on every birthday and holiday. That is how the love of books naturally creeps into life, helping children see growing up with books as normal, like eating, sleeping, drawing, and singing.

According to many experts, helping children love reading cannot be rushed and requires guidance from parents. Parents need to be role models for children in loving books; should let children access books and stories in many places to encourage them to read; regularly read books with children; limit children's TV viewing and phone use; choose books together as well as create a fun reading atmosphere with children.

Sharing at a talk show about reading culture, writer Van Thanh Le shared that reading books with children is a way to nurture family affection. Accompanying children in reading books not only brings benefits to children, but also helps parents relax, reduce stress and find joy in life, shaping the image of parents in the minds of children. Or in other words, it is the connection between parents and children through the bridge of reading books together.

The nurturing of books is not only knowledge, but also the soul and feelings of parents and children. Parents can ask questions, analyze the content with their children, listen to their children's thoughts and feelings through the stories they read. Through this, children will be trained in thinking skills, communication skills and develop their imagination as well as practice reading habits and love of books.

If parents spend their time accompanying their children in reading, locating and choosing books for their children that are close to them, with the right content and topics that their children love, it will help children easily find books, read more books and not give up this positive habit.

From books, children gain a deeper understanding of life, people and the world around them. Children will learn to love, share and appreciate life.

Children who grow up with books will form a reading culture in their family, which will gradually spread to friends, relatives, and the whole community. Each page of a book contributes to shaping the image of the child in the future - writer Van Thanh Le shared./.

(Vietnam News Agency/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/ngay-sach-viet-nam-214-nuoi-duong-tinh-yeu-sach-cua-tre-em-post1033886.vnp