Chinese New Year Reading Program

We always celebrate Chinese New Year in style at Dulwich International High School Suzhou. In addition to the Chinese New Year Cultural Workshops, our school library also launched its annual Chinese New Year reading program before the holiday! The Chinese New Year Reading program was designed to provide our students with a carefully curated selection of books, chosen specifically to help them develop an enhanced understanding and a cross-cultural, global perspective on Chinese culture.

A range of titles, spanning fiction and nonfiction were included, from Arts and Philosophy, Fairy Tales to science, to food and drama. The library at Dulwich International High School Suzhou always does its best to encourage our students to read widely. Chinese New Year provides a great opportunity to showcase the breadth and depth of physical books that we have available in the School Library.

Students who are readers are more likely to be academically and socially successful. Putting it simply, Students who read are the students that succeed. This is because reading is also a great way to learn about the world and to develop as a person. Students who enjoy reading and who read for pleasure tend to be better prepared for success at university. Reading helps the brain to develop.

The following ABC reading method may help your child to read more.

There is no secret formula to helping your child read more. It simply requires some effort and common sense.

The ABCs of Reading

• A – Attention
• B – Books
• C – Care 

 A  Attention

• Give reading your Attention
• Help your child to develop a positive attitude toward reading.
• Choose books that are age-appropriate and that are interesting to your child.
• Read to your child and have your child read to you.
• Encourage your child to talk about what he or she has read and to write about it.

 B  Books

• Make time for reading Books!
• Provide your child with access to books.
• Ensure your child only selects books that interest him or her.
• Talk to your child about the books that he or she has read.

 C  Care

• Care about Books and Reading.
• Be involved in your child's reading activities.
• Provide your child with space where he or she can read.
• Encourage your child to read to you.

One of the most effective (but often overlooked) ways to encourage your child to read is to model this behaviour yourself. If your child sees you reading, they will want to read as well. If they only ever see you looking at your phone all the time, then it shouldn’t come as a surprise if they try to emulate this behaviour. Do not forget, reading is above all, a fun activity that everyone can and should enjoy!