A PET topic of parents, teachers, school leaders and mentors is the decline of reading as a habit among the younger generations. While there has been a shift in learning preferences with children now opting for digital and visual information, it is important to look at the change in parental habits too. A group of 24 parents of children younger than six years were asked how often they read aloud to their children. Only two per cent read to their children at least once a week. The reasons why reading is no longer part of our culture are not just startling, they are also disturbing.

Firstly, the information overload in children’s lives leaves them unable to select productive pursuits. The responsibility to guide, inspire and motivate students lies with parents, educators and mentors who are in the best position to help children allocate their time amidst a tight daily schedule.

More importantly, while we lament the loss of customs and traditions that are rooted in ancient wisdom, we may benefit from making significant strides towards reclaiming them. One such tradition is storytelling. From grandparents to ayahs, from older siblings to neighbours, relationships across social layers were rooted in storytelling. Many of us are familiar with........

© Dawn