Nearly two-thirds of parents in India, like their global counterparts, prefer to read books for their children that they enjoyed in their own childhood, rather than choosing newer titles, claims new research from Oxford University Press (OUP).
The survey was part of a national survey conducted in response to an OUP survey that gathered the views of 4,000 parents in the UK, Australia, Hong Kong and China.
During the survey, when asked what their favorite book or author was to read to their child, parents mentioned classic stories from the Harry Potter series by Enid Blyton and JK Rowling. The fable series Panchatantra also proved popular.
The research also revealed the power of reading to help young people understand the world around them. More than 75 percent of parents surveyed in India view reading to their child as an opportunity to discuss difficult or sensitive topics with them and 85 percent look for books that teach their child about the wider society or have a meaningful message in their hearts.
In the global survey, nearly four in 10 (37 percent) parents said they don’t know how to find out what the latest books are, and nearly half (47 percent) prefer to read books to their children. child, rather than looking for something new.
It’s not just parents who prefer familiar books: Six in ten (56 percent) said their children would rather they read the same books again during the story, and half (48 percent) of those whose children reading independently, said their children prefer to reread books for themselves, the survey said. The parents surveyed in India reflected a similar sentiment. However, more than 70 percent of these parents preferred reading physical books to their children rather than audiobooks or websites.
Nigel Portwood, CEO of Oxford University Press said: ‘We all recognize the importance of reading and the positive impact it can have on a child during key developmental years. It offers the opportunity to bond with the family, while also opening people’s eyes to new worlds and ideas. It’s great that family favorites continue to be loved and enjoyed by parents and children alike. However, reading is also a valuable tool to help young people understand current and future social issues. It is clear that more needs to be done to support parents in obtaining materials to read at home – including helping them find new titles to read alongside family favorites – to ensure that all children experience the benefits of reading too. has to offer.’
Sumanta Datta, Managing Director of Oxford University Press India (OUPI), added: “Reading is considered an important life skill, one that goes beyond improving the child’s vocabulary or grammar. Books serve as a window for children to the world, allowing them to explore and discover the nuances of society and culture. However, as a result of the pandemic, the gaps in expected reading levels have widened. We at OUP are committed to helping parents, teachers and children overcome challenges and instill an inherent love of reading through our products and book titles. We hope to encourage children as they embark on their journey to become lifelong readers and reap the myriad benefits.”
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