Story telling and reading combined to nurture reading habit

Sunday August 12, 2012

School adopts programme to nurture reading habit

By LOH FOON FONG

newsdesk@thestar.com.my

(From URL: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/8/12/nation/11844237&sec=nation)

KUALA LUMPUR: A Chinese school has decided to incorporate story-telling sessions into its Chinese language subjects to inculcate the love of reading among children.

MCA National Youth Education Bureau chairman Chong Sin Woon said that SJKC On Pong 2 in Pandan in Ampang had adopted the programme in collaboration with the Picture Book Association.

The association is promoting reading and story-telling through books filled with 80% illustrations.

“This is a good way for the young generation to pick up the reading habit,” he said at the training programme for 82 teachers by the association at the school yesterday.

Learning can be fun: Teachers learning facial expressions and gestures to use in story-telling at SJKC On Pong 2, Pandan Mewah, Ampang.
 

Chong said that the reading habit among Malaysians was improving although the country still lagged behind the achievements of advanced countries.

Chong added that it was unfortunate that children nowadays were more interested in electronic gadgets and computer games than reading.

“Parents should encourage their children to love books before they are introduced to these modern gadgets.
“They should also read books to their children to generate their interest in books,” he added.

The Picture Book Association vice-president Ng Kok Keong demonstrating ways on how to tell stories effectively.
 

Chong said that the bureau sponsored the training for teachers while the association donated 100 picture books for the programme.

School principal Chin Ah Soon said the story-telling training for teachers would enable teachers to improve their teaching skills.

Parents Teachers Association (PTA) chairman Chin Kok Keong said his PTA would also talk to other parents to encourage them to read to their children at home.