National 7 (Spotlight Weekly)

Zone For Kids

British Council adds more new books targeting the children

By A CORRESSPONDENT

British Council remains one of the major centers in Kathmandu for students of different ages to secure knowledge. From scholars to professionals and students of higher education to school students, there are books for all.

After opening a separate children section, the Council now offers books to the school children. There is a big demand for children’s book in the capital. At a time when most kids are lured towards Television and computers, drawing their attention to reading books is more important.

Kid's zone : Instilling reading habit

According to the British Council, Kids Zone has hundreds of new books for borrowing and reference for 7-13 year-olds. The books are housed in a special section of the library with brightly painted walls and kid-sized furniture. The council has designed the space to encourage kids to drop in, pick up a book, relax, and get into some serious reading.

Although a large number of children of Kathmandu want to read, they had no opportunity to access to a library with children’s books till now. Thanks to the British Council’s new arrangements, the children can now read as much as they like.

“I don’t’ have to read, I just have to speak - is a comment that I hear all the time. However reading, like listening, helps us to absorb the language we need to produce speech and written work. But, enough theory! You taught your children the first things they ever knew. Your children watch what adults do and learn by copying them. Reading is no different, but they must want to learn to read. It will help if they can see others enjoying reading themselves,” writes Swarnim Gurung, a teacher at the British Council.

If parents want to send their children, now there is a place to send their kids. “Lastly, where can we get interesting books? The British Council is launching an area especially for children with 700 new books where you can take your children to encourage their reading,” writs Gurung, who has a post graduate qualification in English Language Teaching from the University of Cambridge.

In the age of instant entertainment, electronic gadgets and internet chatting, the kids are gradually floating away from the tradition practice of reading. To instill the habit of reading among the children, society has to provide them opportunities and access to children’s libraries. As such, the British Council’s latest efforts have come as a blessing to the parents who want their kids to read books.