Dear Editor,
The National Reading Competition has been, for me, an excellent tool for personal development that has enhanced my academic and social life.
I first entered the competition in the 6-8 age group and, in addition to winning the parish and national championships, was awarded for gaining the most points in the competition overall. This was an exciting challenge, building on the foundations I had, having been taught to read as a toddler. Reading the assigned books and preparing for the written assignments involved hard work that helped me to develop discipline, personal motivation and time management, even from this early age. I learned to manage the preparation for the competition as well as my usual leisure-time activities and homework.
My vocabulary and writing skills were improved in the process, preparing letters and learning words for the crossword challenge. By doing so, I learned skills in written and verbal communication that were later applied in my classwork and other social engagements. The exposure I gained at this stage was also an excellent means of enabling interaction with my peers, socialising during preparation for the national competition and making friends during our hotel stays.
On entering the 9-11 category in 2015, I was introduced to analysing and interpreting information to prepare for writing the book reviews and story endings. For me, this process was helpful in developing these and other skills, such as organising and effective communication of information and ideas, which have proven to be important, especially to my schoolwork as I am required to produce reports and projects of various forms.
John Locke said: “Reading furnishes the mind only with the materials of knowledge, it is thinking that makes what we read ours.” Allow me to add that expression makes it meaningful.
The National Reading Competition is not just about reading. As a matter of fact, reading may be the lesser objective, while learning to apply and developing skills of critical thinking, organisation, personal motivation and time management are the personal prizes of this competition. This translates into helping me to be a more focused student, prioritising my tasks and assignments, and managing my time to ensure that they are all done within the given deadlines, as well as allowing me to be entrusted with leadership roles.
Certainly, the rewards of the competition are not just personal. The material rewards have been great! It was, for me, a wonderful feeling for the two years to have lifted the
TVJ trophy, as national champion. The cash prizes, books, school supplies, bursaries, and tablet were all great prizes courtesy of generous sponsors.
So thank you to the Jamaica Library Service for this excellent initiative. I believe is it very relevant to assisting the development of children like myself.
Plutarch said: “The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled.” And that is what reading does. It kindles the mind, excites the imagination, and creates thinkers.
Jade Mullings
2013 National Champion 6-8 category
2015 National Champion 9-11 category
limclarke@yahoo.com
The National Reading Competition has been, for me, an excellent tool for personal development that has enhanced my academic and social life.
I first entered the competition in the 6-8 age group and, in addition to winning the parish and national championships, was awarded for gaining the most points in the competition overall. This was an exciting challenge, building on the foundations I had, having been taught to read as a toddler. Reading the assigned books and preparing for the written assignments involved hard work that helped me to develop discipline, personal motivation and time management, even from this early age. I learned to manage the preparation for the competition as well as my usual leisure-time activities and homework.
My vocabulary and writing skills were improved in the process, preparing letters and learning words for the crossword challenge. By doing so, I learned skills in written and verbal communication that were later applied in my classwork and other social engagements. The exposure I gained at this stage was also an excellent means of enabling interaction with my peers, socialising during preparation for the national competition and making friends during our hotel stays.
On entering the 9-11 category in 2015, I was introduced to analysing and interpreting information to prepare for writing the book reviews and story endings. For me, this process was helpful in developing these and other skills, such as organising and effective communication of information and ideas, which have proven to be important, especially to my schoolwork as I am required to produce reports and projects of various forms.
John Locke said: “Reading furnishes the mind only with the materials of knowledge, it is thinking that makes what we read ours.” Allow me to add that expression makes it meaningful.
The National Reading Competition is not just about reading. As a matter of fact, reading may be the lesser objective, while learning to apply and developing skills of critical thinking, organisation, personal motivation and time management are the personal prizes of this competition. This translates into helping me to be a more focused student, prioritising my tasks and assignments, and managing my time to ensure that they are all done within the given deadlines, as well as allowing me to be entrusted with leadership roles.
Certainly, the rewards of the competition are not just personal. The material rewards have been great! It was, for me, a wonderful feeling for the two years to have lifted the
TVJ trophy, as national champion. The cash prizes, books, school supplies, bursaries, and tablet were all great prizes courtesy of generous sponsors.
So thank you to the Jamaica Library Service for this excellent initiative. I believe is it very relevant to assisting the development of children like myself.
Plutarch said: “The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled.” And that is what reading does. It kindles the mind, excites the imagination, and creates thinkers.
Jade Mullings
2013 National Champion 6-8 category
2015 National Champion 9-11 category
limclarke@yahoo.com