Gulmohur High School Jamshedpur initiates Mothers’ Reading Club

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur, September 28: In an era dominated by mobile screens and shorts and reels, children’s reading habits are on a steep decline. Recognizing the urgency of this challenge, the Principal of Gulmohur High School, Priti Sinha spearheaded an initiative to nurture the love for reading among young children. Realising that early exposure to books was essential in shaping a child’s intellectual and emotional growth, the Principal envisioned a platform that would empower mothers to lead this journey from home.

On September 16, 2024, the inaugural session of the Gulmohur Mothers’ Reading Club was held at the school’s Connect Hub, exclusively for the mothers of pre-primary students. Sinha articulated the significance of instilling a reading habit at an early age, while stating, “A mother is a child’s first teacher. If mothers dedicate time to reading to their children, it could spark a lifelong love for books—a habit becoming increasingly rare in today’s digital world.”

Priti Sinha highlighted the lasting impact this practice could have on a child’s cognitive development, communication skills, and creativity.

Building on the enthusiasm from the first session, the second session took place on September 19, 2024, where volunteer mothers were trained in the art of reading aloud to children. The training emphasized interactive techniques such as using voice modulation to bring characters to life, asking thought-provoking questions to enhance engagement, and guiding children to follow along with their index finger. The mothers were encouraged to select simple, picture-based storybooks to make reading a captivating and enjoyable experience for their young ones.

The initiative gained further momentum with a grand session on September 28, 2024, at Tata Auditorium, which saw an overwhelming turnout of more than 200 pre-primary students’ mothers in attendance. The Principal, in her opening address reiterated the immense benefits of reading. The highlight of the event was a series of presentations by the mothers of nursery students. These included solo storytelling, mother-child duets, and group performances, each brimming with enthusiasm and creativity. The participation of all mothers not only set a remarkable example but also encouraged a deeper community-wide engagement with the initiative.

This initiative will continue with monthly Saturday sessions, ensuring a sustained effort to empower mothers as role models, fostering a renewed passion for reading in their children.

The Gulmohur Mothers’ Reading Club, under the leadership of Priti Sinha and coordinated by faculty members Gayatri, Sunita, and Natasha teachers, successfully rekindled the bond between children and books. At a time when reading habits were waning, this endeavor was breathing new life into the joy of reading while paving the way for future generations to cherish the magic of the written word.