by Major (Rtd) Dr. Prebagaran Jayaraman
A few months ago, at a petrol station near my home at Lumut, a lady greeted me with “Vanakkam, Sir.”
She had attended my CSR talk at SMK Ambrose in Ayer Tawar. She thanked me for inspiring her to start reading habit at home.
She proudly said,” I started reading a Tamil book’. Her pride and gratitude for reading habits at home were evident.
This encounter reminded me of my journey 30 years ago. As a young Education Officer at KD PELANDOK, the Royal Malaysian Navy Training Centre in Lumut, I had attended a parenting workshop emphasising on the importance of reading to children, even during pregnancy.
This practice, a legacy from my parents, who were humble estate labourers, filled our home with books and a passion for education.
Here’s why it matters:
1. Early Learning: Reading to children from pregnancy sets a strong foundation for their future learning, helping them absorb knowledge even before school.
2. Positive Environment: Regular reading creates a nurturing home, fostering curiosity and knowledge and reducing negativity from other sources like social media.
3. Parental Role: Parents play a vital role in their children’s education, empowering them with good habits and knowledge through dedicated reading time.
I’m thankful to my parents for instilling the value of education in me. With the proper educational foundation, we can prepare our children to be respected global citizens.
It starts with parents reading to their children. A few minutes of daily reading can significantly impact the parents and their children’s future.
We belong to a rich and civilised culture. The reading habit is a reflection of our culture. Valga Valamudan (Best Wishes)
Major (Rtd) Dr. Prebagaran Jayaraman is a TTT Master Trainer
WE