Who is this guide for?
This guide is for school students who want to read more, and for parents and teachers who want to help them. After reading it, you will have a simple daily plan, a list of free places to find books on a phone, and a way to follow the news from sources you can trust.
Why does reading every day help?
Students who read regularly usually find it easier to understand lessons, write answers and speak with confidence. Reading also makes you curious: one good book leads to new questions, and new questions lead to new books. You do not need to read a lot. A little, every day, is enough.
How do you start? A simple plan
- Pick a time. For example, 15 minutes before sleeping, or on the bus. Keep the same time every day.
- Pick what you like. Stories, comics, science, sport, history, biographies. Any reading counts.
- Start small. Ten minutes is fine for the first week. Add five minutes each week.
- Keep a list. Write the name of each book or article you finish in a notebook. Watching the list grow is encouraging.
- Talk about it. Tell a friend, a parent or a teacher one interesting thing you read. Explaining helps you remember.
- Read with younger children. Reading aloud to a brother, sister or cousin helps both of you.
Where can you find free books?
| Where | What you will find |
|---|---|
| StoryWeaver (storyweaver.org.in) | Free storybooks for children in hundreds of languages, to read on a phone |
| National Digital Library of India (ndl.iitkgp.ac.in) | Free books and study material, from school to university |
| NCERT textbooks (ncert.nic.in) | Free textbooks for Classes 1 to 12, to read online or download |
| National Book Trust, India (nbtindia.gov.in) | Low-cost books in Indian languages, and book fairs |
| Your school library and the public library near you | Free books to borrow. Ask the librarian for suggestions |
How do you follow the news?
Reading a little news each day helps with general knowledge, interviews and competitive exams.
- Read one news item a day. Pick one story and read it fully, rather than many headlines.
- Use trusted sources. The Press Information Bureau (pib.gov.in) publishes official announcements from the Government of India. Akashvani News (newsonair.gov.in) is the news service of All India Radio. A daily newspaper at your school or library is also a good habit.
- Be careful with forwards. Messages that say “share this now” are often false. Check the same news on a trusted source before you believe or share it.
- Ask questions. When you read a news story, ask: who, what, where, when, why and how? Look up any word you do not know.
How can parents and teachers help?
- Keep a few books or old newspapers at home where children can see them.
- Read for 10 minutes yourself while children read. Children copy what they see.
- Ask children to tell you about what they read, and listen without correcting.
- Start a reading corner or a reading circle in the classroom or the village.
Need help?
If you would like suggestions for books on a subject you enjoy, or help using the free libraries above, ask our volunteers. Our help is always free.