SINGAPORE: When was the last time you read a book? If it’s been a while, you are not alone. A 2024 study done by the National Library Board (NLB) found that while 89 per cent of adults read more than once a week, only 28 per cent read books.

To tackle the change in reading habits, the NLB recently announced a five-year national movement called ReadSG. It includes a gamification initiative where participants can log their daily reading on a government digital platform and earn virtual coins that can eventually be exchanged for cash.

The new campaign aims to promote regular long-form reading, which NLB says helps build critical thinking skills in a world increasingly dominated by short-form content. More details will be announced in September.

The truth is, as bite-sized posts and AI-generated summaries flood our screens, and the internet promises instant information at the tap of a fingertip, patience is something many of us are losing. How often have we tutted at a website that takes a few seconds longer to load, or opted for the point-form summary of a news article instead of finishing the full piece?

Recently, I’ve heard people complain that close to three-hour long films like The Odyssey are “too long” when back in 2003, during the theatrical release of the three-hour-and-21-minute Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, audiences were just thrilled to get their ticket’s worth with such an epic experience.

The problem that NLB is trying to solve is real and reading does more than entertain. Many people who love reading do so for the joy they derive from storytelling but the ability to focus on long-form narratives also cultivates patience and concentration – skills that translate into stronger attention spans across other areas of life.

DO REWARDS ENCOURAGE READING?

That said, is a reward system the best way to help people pick up a book?

Such systems aren’t new in Singapore. We’ve seen them used to nudge people towards certain causes: Healthpoints for healthier lifestyles and to encourage blood donation, and the beverage container return scheme to encourage recycling with a refundable 10-cent deposit.

The question is if these systems actually change behaviour. I’ve seen friends shaking their fitness devices while sitting in front of the TV just to earn Healthpoints. My mother-in-law uses hers during her morning exercises, but with or without the tracker, she has always been committed to staying active.

Neuropsychologists have pointed out that reward systems often don’t work as intended. They’re similar to giving kids prizes for good grades.

It may motivate them in the short term, but doing so shifts the focus to the external reward rather than the intrinsic satisfaction of accomplishing something worthwhile. Once the reward disappears, so does the desired behaviour. It risks fostering a mentality of “What do I get?” instead of “This is the right thing to do.”

It is also why I’ve never used reward systems with my own children. When they do well in exams, I praise their effort. The reward they get is the satisfaction and sense of achievement they feel. If I want to encourage a behaviour, I use positive reinforcement, such as telling them they’ve been a great help when they assist me in the kitchen. This builds self-motivation.

Reading should be the same: The reward is the adventure and joy you derive from a good story, and in non-fiction, the knowledge gained. Campaigns may be able to remind you to pick up a book, but it cannot conjure the curiosity that makes you want to turn the pages.

Just like how my mother-in-law is driven to stay active because she wants to, and not by the reward of points. The key lies in building genuine interest.

WHAT WE REALLY NEED

To foster interest and a lifelong reading habit, I believe we need to start young.

In my case, I’ve read to my two daughters since they were babies, and continued through their primary school years, even when they could read independently. Our reading sessions were always fun; they’d listen intently as I acted out characters with exaggerated tones and expressions.

By upper primary, they were reading around a hundred books a year each on their own. The number itself isn’t as important as the fact that they have learned since young to associate reading with joy, and would happily pick up a book on their own.

Now in secondary school, they have less time because of heavier workloads and more hobbies. But every now and then, I still see them return to books. They may not read as much as before, but I’m not worried because they’ve linked reading with comfort and joy, I know they’ll always find their way back to books.

Many of my friends who are avid readers today were already readers as children. Once the habit is ingrained, there becomes little need to encourage it.

That said, wanting to read is one thing, but finding time to do so in our busy schedules is another. As much as I try to read daily, there are days when my commitments hardly allow me to do so. Beyond work and household chores, there are also many other things that compete for attention during my rest time, like scrolling social media and streaming shows.

Likewise, when I asked my daughters if rewards would nudge them to read daily, they shared the same sentiment. “It’s about whether I have the time,” my elder daughter said.

Unfortunately, the challenge of carving out downtime in our overscheduled lives can’t be solved with a simple reward system. It is probably a more complex issue that may require rethinking our working culture and lifestyles altogether.

So perhaps the real way to foster a nation of readers is by first figuring out how to make children fall in love with books, and then ensuring that as they grow, they still have the time and space to keep reading.

For adults, it’s never too late to start. I have a friend who never considered himself a reader, yet he picked up Amanda Lee Koe’s Sister Snake after hearing a few of us rave about it. I’ve also heard from parents who don’t usually read but began exploring my middle grade books to connect with their kids who love them. And then there are those who discovered a love for a genre when Asian fantasy began gaining popularity in recent years.

So, find something that excites you - whether it’s Greek mythology, K-dramas, murder mysteries or self-improvement to help sharpen your skills at work. You could also spend an afternoon at your local library, ask friends for recommendations or join book clubs, something that is gaining popularity in Singapore. You might just stumble upon the book that kickstarts your reading journey.

Vivian Teo is a freelance writer, children’s book author and mum-of-two who writes at her lifestyle and parenting blog.