Cultivate Reading Habits from an Early Age: Undip Students KKN Team II Cultivate the Spirit of Loving Books to Elementary School Children at MIM Toriyo Village

Reading books is a positive activity that should be instilled in children from an early age. The habit of reading has long-term benefits for humans. Therefore, the habit of reading must be transmitted from one human to another. The saying goes “Books are the windows to the world,” read lots of books, then from book knowledge, we can see the world.

But along with the times, technology is advancing and developing. People tend to prefer playing on social media. Even since childhood children have understood social media and its contents. Sadly, children actually prefer online games rather than books.

Seeing this phenomenon, under the guidance of Drs. Hartono, M.T., one of Undip’s Team II KKN students, Minarni Salisa, tried to instill the habit of reading through the work program “Literacy improvement counseling and the ‘Tell me what you read!’ movement” for children in Toriyo Village. ” for children in Toriyo Village.

Grade 4th children at MIM Toriyo Village enthusiastically watched the video of the legend of “Keong Mas”. The colorful animations made it easy for them to understand the story in the video. At the end of the video, the children were asked to retell the story of “Keong Mas”. For children who are brave, they will get a prize as a form of appreciation.

It can also increase self-confidence for children because they are able to tell stories in front of friends.

The challenge in implementing this work program is that only a few children like to read books. This makes them feel bored with the material presented and difficult to focus on paying attention to the material.

Therefore, at the end of the lesson, canvas and paint were provided for the 4th-grade children of MIM Toriyo Village. This is to relieve fatigue and boredom during the learning process. The 4th graders put one of their left fingers in the paint and then put it on the canvas. The results are then posted in the classroom as a form of children’s creativity.

Through the work program from Undip KKN Team II students, it is hoped that it will be a small step for children to read books. From reading simple stories to textbooks that are just as important.