In recognition of the World Wide Web Day on 1st August, 2023, an insightful webinar was hosted on ‘Reading in the Time of the Internet’ by the Early Childhood Association for Primary Education and Research (ECA-APER). English teachers of the Primary Section participated in the educational webinar, where they were apprised about the manifold benefits of reading and strategies to instill good reading habits in children.

Ms. Reeta Ramamurthy Gupta, a critic and biographer associated with Network 18, provided an in-depth analysis of the impact of books on our lives. Her emphasis was on presenting reading as an enjoyable pursuit. She highlighted various advantages of reading, including enhanced concentration, reduced anxiety, improved patience, nurtured logical thinking, reduced age-related memory function decline, and a strengthened sense of connection across time. Ms. Gupta recommended educators grant children the freedom to choose their reading material, stressing the importance of promoting reading as a habit by associating it with positive rewards.

The enlightening webinar concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session, wherein educators garnered valuable insights on making reading an engaging and envisioning experience for children.