Reading gives us wings to fly from our own world into another. When children read a book, they naturally immerse themselves in the story. Empathy is a quality essential to inculcate in young minds, and reading is a powerful tool for developing this capacity. Through reading, children experience the lives of other characters and gain deeper understanding of emotions and people in the real world. Reading also provides authentic information about the world around them and naturally sparks curiosity about different people, cultures, places, and events.
At Manchester International School, every day begins with DEAR (Drop Everything and Read) time. During this dedicated period, young readers independently choose their favorite book and read for at least 20 minutes daily. The school maintains a resourceful library with books in multiple languages to fulfill the varied interests of learners. An annual Book Week celebration honors reading and celebrates great authors and poets. During this event, children are motivated to write their own stories, poems, and comics, bringing out the young authors and poets within them.
As a school community, Manchester strongly recommends that parents spend time reading for or alongside their children. This shared reading experience helps children develop vocabulary and communication skills. Each child's reading preferences may differ, but the school's objective is to sharpen their minds and develop imagination and analytical thinking. To encourage reading at home, the school sends a storybook from the library each week for families to share together.
Parents appreciate that Manchester does not treat reading as a special program but instead integrates it naturally throughout the curriculum. The curriculum includes differentiated reading strategies and authentic assessments designed to develop lifelong readers. Skills learned during these early years continue to benefit children well into adulthood. Reading is introduced in the early years through the Jolly Phonics program, with phonics experts planning creative learning engagements to cultivate the reading habit. The school ensures that developing children's reading skills and fostering a positive attitude toward reading is a core responsibility.
At Manchester International School, reading is a natural, fun, and exciting activity that brings joy, awareness, and a sense of accomplishment into children's lives.
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