The countdown has begun. It’s just days away before the schools close for summer vacations.
Parents are looking desperately for summer classes and activities to fill calendars with summer classes, hobby clubs, play dates and travel plans.
Fair enough. No one wants the children glued to the screens all day.
But somewhere in all this rush to keep them busy, what’s often overlooked is whether they’re getting any time to grow on their own?
Honestly, between structured activities and leisure time, they hardly get a chance for independent thinking. And with schools giving no holiday homework these days, academics take a backseat.
Let’s not restrict the learning to the classrooms. Summer break doesn’t have to mean a break from learning. It can eb a different kind of learning altogether – more fun, hands-on, experiential.
Why Reading Matters More Than You Think
She had always been the intelligent one. She always came first in the class and then topped the boards in her city (and maybe even the state, I’m not sure about that).
People were effusive with their praises about her intelligence and academic prowess.
You know what happened during the college interviews? She lost out on some big colleges as they were not impressed by her grades. They wanted to know more about her, and she knew nothing beyond her textbooks.
Reminds you of the interview scene from the old classic Golmaal when Utpal Dutt interviews Amol Palekar, where all that mattered was the subject knowledge.
Today, that’s not enough.
Focusing just on the academics is not enough. Only a well-informed child develops a well-rounded personality. Marks can help them glide through school but not in the real world.
And that’s where reading comes into play.
Believe me when I tell you that I’ve seen it played out clearly in classrooms.
I’ve had kids who would devour books and then there were those who treated reading as an epidemic! The difference between these two groups was so obvious, that it was alarming.
The difference was obvious. In their vocabulary, expressions, creativity, and ability to think beyond textbooks.
When discussing some concept in the class, the readers would come up with examples or comparisons beyond the textbooks, while the non-readers struggled to comprehend.
The readers had a better appreciation of things, they had more information, were willing to explore and most importantly were open to other perspectives.
The non-readers were restrictive in their thinking. They were skeptical of any new idea. Looking at them, you’ll agree ‘little knowledge is dangerous’.
Schools alone can’t bridge this gap. It’s a group activity with parents, teachers and children all involved.
Build the Habit, Don’t Force the Outcome
It’s convenient and it’s comfortable to let them plonk themselves before the screens. But ask yourself how it is going to help them.
Are they learning something constructive or it just adding fuel to their idle minds?
It’s not that girl’s fault that she never read any books or had no clue about the world beyond her books.
Somewhere along the way, most parents have begun to believe that reading (along with other non-academic activities) is a waste of time.
What they don’t understand is that reading builds far more than knowledge. It develops imagination, improves focus, and encourages independent thinking.
Start small. Make reading enjoyable, but also a non-negotiable part of the day. Begin with one hour. Let them choose the time – before bedtime, in the afternoon, or morning.
Let them explore. Fiction, nonfiction, mystery, mythology. Their curiosity leads the way.
Use the summer vacation as an opportunity to build a habit that lasts far beyond the doors of the classroom.
I’ve curated a list of books you can use to begin the journey. It’s a mix of fiction and non-fiction, a medley of genres and authors. See what your child wants to begin with. Or better still go to the bookstore and browse and then pick.
Summer Vacation Reading List for Kids
Mythology & Epics (It’s a great way to connect with culture, stories, and moral dilemmas)
- Books by Devdutt Pattanaik (Jaya, Sita, My Gita)
- Mahabharata
- Ramayana
- Amar Chitra Katha (this is more for the beginners or younger children)
- Percy Jackson & the Olympians
- Heroes of Olympus
- Books on Norse Mythology
- The Kane Chronicles
Mystery & Adventure (Allows them to build curiosity, critical thinking and problem-solving skills)
- Agatha Christie
- Sherlock Holmes
- Feluda
- Murder Most Unladylike
- Young Samurai
- Holly Jackson
- Enchanted Cottage – Ruskin Bond
Humour & Light Reads (go beyond Wimpy Kid and Dork Diaries)
- Books by P G Wodehouse (Jeeves, Blandings)
- Three Men in a Boat
- My Family and Other Animals
- The 13-Storey Treehouse
- Just William
- Ruskin Bond
Classics (Time to introduce timeless storytelling and rich language. No more abridged versions.)
- A Tale of Two Cities
- The Hunchback of Notre-Dame
- The Secret Garden
- Little Women
- Treasure Island
- Anne of Green Gables
- Black Beauty
Non-Fiction (This builds their curiosity about the real world)
- A Brief History of Time (adapted versions for kids)
- Sapiens
- The Story of My Life
- Wings of Fire
- Horrible Histories
- National Geographic
- Brief Answers to the Big Questions
Here’s What You Can Do With This List
Begin the journey by letting your child choose the first book. Their interest is more important than the right pick.
Allow them to pick across genres once you see them getting comfortable with reading. This freedom to choose will add to their confidence and motivate them to repeat the activity.
Make suggestions so they can mix light reads with slightly challenging books. The change in pace and content will keep their interest alive.
Don’t force them to read specific titles because you feel they are ‘right’. That can be a major turn-off.
Show interest about the book they are reading. Discuss the book and ask about the interesting parts. These conversations make the reading more enjoyable and entertaining.
Finally, keep the reading list flexible. Let them add more books to the reading list as they discover more.
A good reading habit builds knowledge. But it also builds curiosity, empathy, and imagination.
