Reading lounge experience
DO you have children who are avid bookworms? Want a place where they can read in a fun and carefree environment?
Then stop by at the new Scholastic Reading Lounge in Sunway Pyramid, Petaling Jaya, which offers a variety of books and digital programmes for young readers. The lounge offers over 600 Scholastic books as well as many digital products to enjoy.
The Lounge is created by Scholastic, the world’s largest children’s book publisher and distributor, in collaboration with Sunway Malls. It’s objective is to promote literacy and family bonding. This Lounge is also the first programme in the country to be recognised this year as part of Unesco’s KL World Book Capital 2020 programme.
“In today’s world where everyone in the family is looking at their phones more than they are talking to each other, reading should not be an activity we expect children to do on their own in isolation. Just as eating together as a family is important to help a family connect and build relationships, reading together becomes more meaningful and impactful for children when it’s done together with the family, ” said Selina Lee, Scholastic Asia vice president, at the Lounge’s recent launch.
Lee shared that according to a study on reading habits conducted by Scholastic, 40% of children aged 6-11 wished their parents would read to them. Meanwhile, 85% of children aged 6-14 who had been read aloud to considered this activity as a special time spent with their parents.
The Scholastic Reading Lounge is targeted at children of all ages, from toddlers to young adults. It is divided into various sections, including Toddler and Pre-school (Age 0-6), Elementary (Age 7-9) and Middle Grade and Young Adult (Age 10+). Each section contains books suitable for the respective age range. Workshops and activities are also being planned.
There is also a Digital Learning section, which features programmes such as a digital assessment for children between 9-14 to help them find the right books for their reading level. There are also interactive whiteboards, featuring learning programmes such as Scholastic Early English, Scholastic Book Flix, Scholastic True Flix and Scholastic Go!
As this is a “reading lounge”, not a library, children who visit do not have to be quiet.
The Lounge, which can accommodate between 20 and 30 users, will be operated by education event company Stickman Plus. Staff members will be on duty to supervise the place during operating hours: however, children under schooling age have to be accompanied by a guardian. All children will also have to register their details when entering the Lounge.
For now, Lee said this was the only Scholastic Reading Lounge planned. She added that additional Lounges might be considered in the future, based on feedback and response to this place.
The Scholastic Reading Lounge is located at Level 1, Blue Zone, Sunway Pyramid (opposite Tealive), Petaling Jaya in Selangor. It is open to the public daily from 10am-10pm, including on public holidays, and admission is free.