Parvinder Bhatia
Jamshedpur: In an age where digital screens increasingly dominate children’s attention, a renewed effort to bring back the joy of reading is taking shape in the city. Well-known educationist Indrani Singh has introduced an innovative approach through her upcoming book Pragnatra, aiming to transform how young children engage with stories.
The initiative stems from a simple yet striking observation. While many children struggle to recall the experience of reading a book, they can effortlessly narrate scenes and characters from popular shows on platforms like Netflix or Cartoon Network. This contrast prompted Singh to rethink traditional methods of encouraging reading.
Drawing inspiration from her academic exposure at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where literacy expert Dr. Zoi Philippakos introduced the concept of dialogic learning, Singh developed a model that shifts storytelling from passive listening to active conversation. The idea is to make stories interactive—encouraging children to question, respond, and connect emotionally.
Her book Pragnatra—currently available in soft copy and soon to be released in print—is a collection of 12 illustrated short stories designed for children aged 3 to 7. The title itself reflects a blend of wisdom and journey, symbolizing curiosity-driven learning. Each story is rooted in real-life situations drawn from informal conversations with over 50 mothers, making the narratives relatable and grounded.
At D.S.M School for Excellence, this philosophy is already being put into practice. Pre-primary teachers are being trained in the PEER approach, a structured method that transforms storytelling into meaningful dialogue. Activities such as dramatization and expressive narration—often playful and exaggerated—are used to deepen engagement and comprehension among children.
“Instead of telling children to read, the focus is on making them want to read,” Singh emphasized through her work. The approach prioritizes imagination, curiosity, and participation over rote storytelling sessions dominated by one-way narration.
Educationists believe such initiatives could play a crucial role in restoring reading habits among young learners, particularly at a time when attention spans are shrinking due to excessive screen exposure.
With Pragnatra, Singh hopes to create a shift—from children waiting to be read to, eventually, picking up books on their own. And perhaps, as she envisions, the day is not far when children will once again cherish the simple joy of opening a new book and getting lost in its pages.
