Symphony of Stories – Why Reading Matters
Every great story has its own rhythm.
Some stories make us laugh. Others make our hearts race, transport us to another world, introduce us to people we may never otherwise meet, or leave us thinking long after we have turned the final page.
This Book Week, we celebrate Symphony of Stories, the wonderful idea that every book adds a different voice, beat and melody to the world of reading.
But reading is about much more than books.
Reading Builds Our Brains
Just like exercise strengthens our bodies, reading gives our brains a workout. It develops vocabulary, comprehension, concentration and critical thinking. The more we read, the more words, ideas and ways of expressing ourselves we encounter, often without even realising we are learning.
Reading Builds Empathy
Stories also give us the opportunity to experience the world through somebody else’s eyes.
For a little while, we can live in another country, another time, another culture, or even another universe. We can experience the thoughts and feelings of characters whose lives may be very different from our own.
Through stories, we can develop greater empathy, compassion and understanding of others.
Reading Gives Our Minds Somewhere to Go
In a world of notifications, scrolling, videos and constant digital stimulation, reading offers something increasingly valuable: the opportunity to slow down and focus.
A good book can provide an escape from the busyness of everyday life. It can make us laugh after a difficult day, help us feel understood, spark our imagination or simply give our minds some quiet time.
And unlike an algorithm, a Library shelf doesn’t decide what you should discover next. Sometimes the perfect book is the one you weren’t looking for.
Find Your Place in the Symphony of Stories
This Book Week, we encourage everyone in our College community to make a little more room for reading.
Visit a library. Browse a shelf you don’t normally visit. Ask someone what they’re reading. Recommend a favourite book to a friend. Revisit a story you loved when you were younger. Try a completely different genre.
Because every reader is different, and every story brings something new.
Together, they create a Symphony of Stories, and there is always room for one more reader to join in.
- benefits of reading, Book Week, Featured, Literacy Development, love of reading, reading and empathy, reading for students, Santa Maria College, Student Wellbeing, Symphony of Stories, why reading matters
Author: Santa Maria College
Santa Maria College is a vibrant girls school with a growing local presence and reputation. Our Mission is to educate young Mercy women who act with courage and compassion to enrich our world. Santa Maria College is located in Attadale in Western Australia, 16 km from the Perth CBD. We offer a Catholic education for girls in Years 5 – 12 and have 1300 students, including 152 boarders.
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