In the midst of the false news (hoax), the habit of reading books and quality reading should be encouraged. In addition to increasing literacy, will make the community smarter, smarter, broaden the horizons, and play a role in the progress of the nation.
World literacy in Indonesia recorded two important things in May 2017. First, Tuesday (2/5/2017) President met with inspirational literacy activist at the State Palace. Heads of State appreciate literacy activists for facilitating young people in remote areas to access books. “It’s great that I can meet you and your brothers and sisters. Especially in encouraging, make people become more intelligent, intelligent, and open insight by reading, reading books, “said Jokowi.
Second, the National Book Day celebration entitled ‘Gemar Membaca’ in the central courtyard of the Presidential Palace of Jakarta, Wednesday (05/17/2017), which presents 503 elementary and junior high school students.
On the Day of the Book, President Joko Widodo tells a folktale titled ‘Lutung Kasarung’. Through the fairy tale taken from the book, children are introduced to the habit of reading so that interest in reading for the better. Not only that, moral values, ethics, politeness, honesty, courage was embedded from an early age.
What is done by the President becomes an important milestone because most of our society is still strong with oral tradition compared with written tradition. As a result, the reading habits of Indonesian society are low. The World’s Most Literate Nations research released on March 9, 2016 on reading habits in 200 countries shows that Scandinavian countries are at the top in terms of reading perseverance.
The order is: (1) Finland. (2) Norway. (3) Iceland. (4) Denmark. (5) Sweden. (6) Switzerland. (7) United States. (8) Germany. (9) Latvia. (10) Netherlands. While Indonesia in the 60th position.
Spurred the habit of reading becomes imperative, because this habit proved to play an important role not only in supporting the success of individuals, but it also plays a role in the progress of the nation.
The story told by the President is one of the works of fiction that is rich in the world of imagination. Fairy tales will hone and enhance the imagination of children. And imagination, as we know it is a part of intelligence. Imagination can stimulate creativity and innovation. Various technological findings, generally begun by the inventor’s imagination.
In addition to imagination, fairy tales also contain noble values such as the spirit of achievement, optimism, never give up, courage to change fate, sense of responsibility, and discipline.
Meanwhile, a rich tale of moral messages can also soften the minds or feelings of children. Through fairy tales, indirectly children will absorb the values of honesty, good and bad attitude, affection, tolerance or tolerance, mutual cooperation and unity, humility, willingness to sacrifice for the sake of togetherness, and so on.
Moral values of life like that would be more easily absorbed by children when presented in the form of stories or fairy tales (for entertaining), compared with oral advice submitted by adults. Through the story of the fairy tale, children unwittingly absorb the values and will also shape the character or personality. Children’s brains are like data storage in a computer (hard disk). In addition to the experience of daily life, if more and more filled by a variety of good reading, would be increasingly rich in knowledge.
Reading activity extends the thinking horizon. Make it across the world knowing the various nations of the world with its various cultures, understanding the natural wealth that must be preserved, and adding to the power of its analytical power.
Reading will also increase the curiosity of children and be an inspiration for their future professional choice (ideals). So, as the phrase “the book is a storehouse of knowledge and reading is the key”. That way, reading activities will make children become rich in science, critical thinking, and wise in attitude.
Movement of literacy, reading books proclaimed by various circles to be one effective way to improve reading ability. The role of teachers / educators in schools is even more strategic. They can invite students to re-use the library as a reference source.
Can not be denied, nowadays children often get assigned from teacher with source from internet. This is good, making children tech-savvy. However, on the other hand can keep children from the habit of opening and reading books. Therefore, it would be good if the teacher gave the task by using the source of reading in the school library.
In this way, the children will be familiar with the library, accustomed to opening and reading the book, understanding it, and then also accustomed to writing long (revealing what he has read).
At home, parents also need to create a culture of reading by giving a concrete example of a mother’s father reading newspapers, magazines, or books, and not each one with his gadget. At home can be made a mini library. In the children’s room can be provided various readings, both magazines and books. Parents facilitate children to regularly subscribe to their favorite child magazines.
In essence, the number of activities that bring children closer to a book or magazine, will undoubtedly make them can not be far from books and reading activities. Today, gadgets can not be taken away from them. However, books or magazines also have to be brought closer. They may be familiar with social media, but also remain friends with books or magazines.
Because the book is the window of the world!
Source: http://www.presidenri.go.id/program-prioritas-2/melawan-berita-palsu-dengan-bacaan-bermutu.html
