Reading is a crucial part of a child’s well-being. Research has shown that reading for enjoyment not only boosts educational outcomes for children, but also enhances their emotional understanding. This is why the designation by the President, Sheikh Khalifa, of 2016 as the “year of reading” is so significant.
The initiative, announced on Saturday, is designed to encourage young people to exercise the intellect – a crucial part of the aim to establish a knowledge-based economy – and to boost the goal of becoming, as Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice-President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, pointed out, “a global capital of culture”.
The question is: how do we encourage children to read? One of the best ways is for parents to become better readers, so that their children can follow their example. Remember that children are smart and they learn quickly.
