Why Reading Books in Our Mother Tongue Is Important for Children
In today’s digital world, children are surrounded by different languages from an early age. English is an important part of education, technology and communication, but this does not make reading in our mother tongue any less important.
For children, reading books in their mother tongue can create a deeper connection with language, family, culture and stories. It can also make reading more enjoyable because children are able to understand ideas, emotions and expressions more naturally.
Whether a child grows up speaking Marathi, Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu or any other Indian language, reading books in the mother tongue can become an important part of their overall learning journey.
What Is a Mother Tongue?
A mother tongue is generally the language a child learns naturally at home and uses in everyday communication with family and people around them.
For many Indian children, the mother tongue is the language in which they first hear stories, songs, conversations and expressions of affection.
This early connection makes the mother tongue much more than a means of communication. It becomes a part of a child’s emotional and cultural identity.
Why Is Reading in the Mother Tongue Important for Children?
1. It Makes Reading Easier and More Natural
When children read in a language they understand well, they can focus more easily on the meaning of the story instead of struggling with unfamiliar vocabulary.
This can make reading a more enjoyable experience.
A child who finds reading difficult in another language may discover a completely different experience when introduced to an interesting story in their mother tongue.
That is why mother tongue reading for children can be a useful way to develop a positive relationship with books.
2. It Helps Build a Strong Vocabulary
Children naturally learn new words through reading.
When they read books in their familiar language, they can understand the meaning of new words through the surrounding story and context.
Over time, this can strengthen:
Vocabulary
Sentence formation
Reading comprehension
Communication skills
Expression of ideas
A strong foundation in the mother tongue can also help children become more confident language learners overall.
3. Stories Become More Meaningful
A story is not only about words. It is also about emotions, humour, relationships and experiences.
Some expressions are understood more deeply in the language a child hears at home.
A funny situation, a grandmother’s expression, a traditional saying or an emotional conversation can have a different impact when experienced in the child’s familiar language.
This is one reason why children’s books in the mother tongue can create a stronger emotional connection with young readers.
4. Mother Tongue Books Connect Children with Their Culture
Books are one of the easiest ways for children to discover their cultural heritage.
Through stories, children can learn about:
Traditional customs
Festivals
Folk traditions
Historical personalities
Indian mythology
Saints and literature
Local traditions
Values and social life
Reading Marathi children’s literature, for example, can introduce children to the rich literary and cultural traditions of Maharashtra in a natural and engaging way.
5. Reading Builds Imagination
A good children’s book does not simply give information. It creates a world in the child’s imagination.
As children read a story, they imagine the characters, places and situations described in the book.
This is particularly valuable in a time when much of children’s entertainment is available in ready-made visual formats.
Books encourage children to create their own mental pictures.
6. Children Can Develop a Love for Reading
One of the biggest challenges parents face is encouraging children to read regularly.
The solution is not always to give them more books.
It is more important to give them the right books.
If children begin with stories that match their age, interests and reading ability, they are more likely to enjoy the experience.
Books in the mother tongue can be a comfortable starting point for children who are developing their reading habits.
The Importance of Marathi Children’s Literature
Marathi has a rich tradition of children’s literature. Stories, poems, biographies, cultural narratives and imaginative writing can introduce children to the beauty of the Marathi language.
Parents can explore age-appropriate books from Prasad Prakashan’s Bal Vangmay collection while encouraging children to discover different kinds of Marathi reading material.
For example, Navi Kshitije can be introduced to older children and teenagers as reading that encourages them to think about education, opportunities and the changing world.
The important point is not simply to complete a book. It is to encourage children to think, ask questions and discuss what they have read.
Books Can Introduce Children to Indian Stories and Traditions
Children are naturally curious about stories.
Stories about different people, places and traditions can help them understand the diversity of Indian culture.
Books connected with traditional narratives can be particularly useful during school holidays, when children have more time for independent reading.
Parents can also explore books from Prasad Prakashan’s children’s and cultural literature collections and select titles according to the child’s age and interests.
A book such as Rishi Katha Tarangini can be used as an example of how traditional Indian stories can introduce younger readers to cultural narratives and characters.
Reading in the Mother Tongue Does Not Mean Avoiding English
This is an important point for parents.
Encouraging children to read in their mother tongue does not mean that they should avoid English or other languages.
Children can read books in multiple languages.
In fact, multilingual reading can give children exposure to different styles of writing and different ways of expressing ideas.
The goal should be to create a balanced reading environment where children have access to:
Mother tongue + English + other languages according to their interests and needs.
A strong foundation in one language can give children the confidence to explore others.
How Can Parents Encourage Mother Tongue Reading?
Create a Small Home Library
A large library is not necessary.
Even 10–20 carefully selected books can create a small reading corner for children.
Keep the books easily accessible so that children can pick them up whenever they want.
Let Children Choose
Instead of deciding every book for them, give children two or three options.
Ask:
“Which one would you like to read?”
Giving children a choice can make them feel more involved in the reading process.
Set a Daily Reading Time
Even 15–20 minutes a day can become a meaningful habit.
Summer vacation is particularly useful for establishing this routine because children generally have more free time.
Read Together
Parents can read with younger children.
One person can read a paragraph while the child reads the next one.
For younger children, parents can also read aloud and discuss the illustrations and characters.
Talk About the Story
After reading, ask simple questions:
Which character did you like?
What happened in the story?
What did you learn?
Which part was interesting?
What would you have done differently?
This turns reading into a conversation rather than a homework assignment.
Mother Tongue Reading and Children’s Confidence
When children can express their thoughts comfortably in their familiar language, they may feel more confident participating in conversations.
Reading gives them ideas to discuss and words to express those ideas.
Over time, this can encourage children to become more comfortable with storytelling, writing and communication.
The objective is not to make every child a serious reader. It is to help children discover that books can be enjoyable companions.
Make Reading a Part of Summer Vacation
Summer vacation provides an excellent opportunity to introduce children to books without the pressure of school examinations.
Parents can create a simple summer reading plan.
For example:
One book → One story discussion → One drawing → One short review
A child could read a story, draw a favourite character and explain the story to the family.
Older children could maintain a simple reading journal and write a few lines about every book they finish.
This makes reading an active and creative experience.
From Reading Stories to Understanding Life
The greatest value of children’s literature is not always found in the information a child remembers.
Sometimes it is found in the questions a story creates.
A story may teach a child about friendship. Another may make them think about courage. One may introduce them to a historical personality, while another may help them understand a cultural tradition.
This is why books have an important place in childhood.
They quietly become part of the way children understand people, relationships and the world around them.
Preserving the Mother Tongue Through Reading
Languages remain alive when they are used, spoken, written and read by new generations.
Parents play an important role in this process.
When children read books in their mother tongue, they become familiar with its vocabulary, expressions, stories and literary traditions.
For Marathi-speaking families, encouraging children to read Marathi books can therefore become a simple way of keeping the language connected to everyday life.
It is not only about preserving a language. It is also about preserving the stories, memories and cultural knowledge carried by that language.
Conclusion
In a world where children are increasingly exposed to digital content and multiple languages, reading books in the mother tongue remains valuable.
It can make reading more comfortable, strengthen vocabulary, develop imagination and connect children with their family, culture and literary heritage.
Parents do not have to choose between English and the mother tongue. Children can benefit from reading in both.
What matters is creating an environment where books are easily available and reading is seen as an enjoyable part of everyday life.
This summer, instead of asking children only to complete their schoolwork, give them time to discover a story, meet a new character and enter a new world through a book.
Because a child who learns to enjoy reading in their mother tongue may carry that love of language and stories for life.
