The author is dedicated to helping others driven by the belief that God resides in every heart. She is a self-motivated, goal-oriented, and experienced academician.
By Bella Rohatgi — Writer | Educator | Lifelong Learner
We are raising children in a world very different from the one many of us grew up in. Screens are everywhere. Smartphones, social media, online games, videos, and instant entertainment have become a natural part of childhood. Technology has opened exciting doors to information and creativity, but somewhere between scrolling, swiping, and clicking, a beautiful habit is slowly losing its place—the habit of reading books.
As an educator and children’s author, I am genuinely interested in encouraging the growing generation to discover the joy of reading. I do not believe that technology is the enemy. It is part of our children’s future, and when used wisely, it can be an excellent learning tool. But books offer something different—something that fast-moving digital content cannot always provide.
When children sit quietly with a book, their minds begin to work in wonderful ways. They imagine characters, create pictures in their minds, follow events, remember details, and wonder what might happen next.
Reading regularly helps children develop a richer vocabulary. Every new story introduces them to words, expressions, emotions, situations, and ideas that may not be part of their everyday conversations. Gradually, children become more confident in expressing themselves, both in speaking and writing.
Books also strengthen concentration and focus. Unlike short videos that change scenes every few seconds, a story encourages a child to stay with one thought for a longer period. They learn to listen, observe, understand, and connect one idea with another. In an age of constant distractions, this ability to concentrate is becoming increasingly valuable.
The greatest gift of reading may go beyond academic learning.
Stories introduce children to kindness, courage, gratitude, friendship, sharing, respect, failure, hope, and love. Through fictional characters, children experience situations they may never have encountered themselves. They begin to understand how another person might feel.
A child who reads about someone overcoming a fear may find the courage to face a personal challenge. A story about sharing may encourage generosity. A character who makes a mistake and tries again can quietly teach that failure is not the end of the journey.
This is why I believe small stories can create big hearts.
We should not make reading another task that children have to complete. Instead, let us make it something they want to experience.
Parents can begin with just fifteen or twenty minutes of reading together each day. Let children choose books that interest them. Talk about the pictures. Ask what they think will happen next. Laugh at funny moments. Discuss how the characters might be feeling.
Most importantly, let children see adults reading too. Children learn tremendously from what they observe.
Technology will continue to change, and our children must grow with it. But as we prepare them for a digital future, let us not leave books behind.
Because a screen can capture a child’s attention for a moment, but a beautiful book can capture their imagination for a lifetime.
Read more. Imagine more. Grow kinder.
Bella Rohatgi writes value-based stories for children that nurture kindness, confidence, gratitude, happiness, and good habits—because every little reader deserves stories that help them shine from the inside out.
The author is dedicated to helping others driven by the belief that God resides in every heart. She is a self-motivated, goal-oriented, and experienced academician.
2026 Copyright Bella Rohatgi. All rights reserved.