“It is important to read to children because reading helps us to think and process our thoughts.” – Indrek Saar

Indrek Saar is reading to the reading theraphy dog Hector on the Reading out Loud Day, which was held in Estonia on 20 October 2015.
©All Rights Robertas Dačkus

“Andrus Kivirähk” is definitely one of my favourite writers. When my children were younger, I used to read books to them often. It is important to read to children because reading helps us to think and process our thoughts. And I do not just mean to think about our Basic human values, but it is through the reading process that we are able to think through other issues. Even those which are not at all connected to the book at hand. Because reading is essentially a form of meditation, it helps us to gain clarity and perspective in other areas of life.

Reading dogs are used in Estonia to help children as they learn to read. Dogs do not pass judgement, as parents would, about the reading fluency, and therefore the reading becomes more stress free and enjoyable to the children.
Indrek Saar, Minister for Culture of the Republic of Estonia