The Principal’s Perspective｜每个孩子，都有属于自己的故事

At SAIS, we believe reading is not simply an academic skill. It is the foundation for creativity, empathy, and lifelong learning. When children read, they learn to understand others, express themselves, and imagine new possibilities.

This month, as we celebrate Reading Month in Shenzhen, our students are not only reading stories — they are writing their own. Through our Bull Books Project, children are becoming young authors, illustrating and publishing their own stories that express who they are and what they imagine.

But the power of reading does not end in the classroom. Parents play a vital role in shaping a child’s relationship with books. Here are three practical steps every family can use to make reading meaningful at home:

You don’t need a large space. A small shelf, a soft lamp, and a shared reading mat can create a cozy environment that invites reading.

Follow the “2+1 Rule”: two books chosen by your child and one recommended by you.

Set aside 20 minutes each day for shared reading — it builds connection, focus, and family ritual.

Instead of asking, “Did you finish the book?”, try asking questions that spark thinking and imagination:

• Which part surprised you the most?

• What would you do if you were the main character?

• Why do you think the author wrote this story?

Open-ended questions encourage critical thinking and communication.

You can even keep a Reading Journal — write down your child’s answers, favorite quotes, or reflections. Over time, it becomes a beautiful record of growth.

Encourage your child to draw a favorite scene or write a letter to a character in the story.

Create a simple Family Storybook using paper, markers, and imagination — or use digital tools like Book Creator to make an e-book.

在深美（SAIS），我们相信阅读不仅是一项学习技能，更是一种思维方式——它培养孩子的创造力、共情力与终身学习的能力。阅读让孩子学会理解他人、表达自我，也在文字中发现新的世界。

这个月，深圳迎来了“阅读月”。在深美，孩子们不只是读故事——他们正在写故事。通过 Bull Books 原创图书计划，他们亲手创作和绘制属于自己的书籍，在写作中表达自我、释放想象。

但阅读的力量并不止于课堂。家长的陪伴，是孩子阅读成长中最关键的一环。以下三步，让家庭阅读既有温度，又有方法：

不需要大空间，一个小书架、一盏柔光灯、一块共读垫，就能营造一个温馨的阅读氛围。

可以遵循“2+1”原则：两本孩子自己选择的书 + 一本家长推荐的书。每天固定20分钟共读时间，培养专注与陪伴的仪式感。

与其问“你读完了吗？”，不如问：

•  “哪一页让你印象最深？”

•  “如果你是主角，你会怎么做？”

•  “你觉得作者为什么要写这个故事？”

这些开放式问题，比单纯检查理解更能激发思考与表达。

家长还可以准备一本“阅读对话本”，记录孩子的想法与回答，这将成为珍贵的成长档案。

让孩子画出书中一个喜欢的场景，或者写信给书中的角色。可以一起制作一本“家庭故事绘本”——几张纸、彩笔和想象力就能开始。喜欢科技的孩子也可以用 Book Creator 等工具制作电子书，成为真正的小作家。