Commentary: It takes more than a reward system to nurture a reader

Reading a book should be its own reward, argues writer Vivian Teo. In Singapore, the National Library Board (NLB) recently launched a five-year initiative called ReadSG to combat changing reading habits. The program includes a gamification element where participants can log daily reading on a digital platform and earn virtual coins that can be exchanged for cash.

The NLB hopes this approach will encourage long-form reading, which they claim helps develop critical thinking skills in an era dominated by short-form content. However, the article argues that a reward system may not be the most effective way to promote reading.

The article points out that people are increasingly turning to bite-sized posts and AI-generated summaries due to the abundance of instant information available online. As a result, patience and concentration have become scarce commodities. The article cites a recent complaint about three-hour-long films being too long, highlighting how far the perception of acceptable content length has shifted.

The National Library Board's initiative addresses a real issue, as reading offers more than mere entertainment; it cultivates patience and concentration, which translate to stronger attention spans in other areas of life.

The article questions whether reward systems are the best way to inspire reading, pointing to previous initiatives like Healthpoints for healthier lifestyles and the beverage container return scheme for recycling. The author wonders if these systems truly change behavior. She shares personal experiences, such as friends who count Healthpoints while watching TV and her mother-in-law who uses hers during exercise, but emphasizes that the presence of a tracker does not necessarily lead to behavior change.

Neuropsychologists have noted that reward systems often don't work as intended, similar to giving children prizes for good grades. While such incentives may motivate in the short term, they can shift focus to the external reward rather than the intrinsic satisfaction of accomplishment. Once the reward disappears, so does the desired behavior, potentially fostering a mentality that questions the inherent value of an action.

The author shares her own approach to encouraging reading, praising her children's effort rather than offering tangible rewards. She believes that reading should be driven by the joy and satisfaction derived from the experience, not by external incentives. She started reading to her daughters since they were babies and continued through their primary school years, fostering a love for books that has persisted into their secondary school years.

Although their reading habits have diminished due to increased responsibilities, the author remains confident that their association of reading with joy will keep them engaged. She notes that many avid readers today were already readers as children, and once the habit is ingrained, there is little need for constant encouragement.

However, the article acknowledges that simply wanting to read and finding time to do so are two different matters. Despite efforts to read daily, various commitments and distractions, such as social media and streaming shows, can make it challenging to carve out time for reading. The author suggests that the issue of finding time may require a broader reevaluation of our working culture and lifestyles.

Ultimately, fostering a nation of readers may start with cultivating a love for books in children, rather than relying solely on reward systems.