Article by Ly-ann Tan Low
Illustrations and captions by Kalsum Harun
From the editor: We are privileged to feature an insightful article by Ly-ann Tan Low, an experienced homeschool mom and passionate educator. In this article, Ly-ann introduces her flagship LitLens programme, nurturing learners to pause, reflect, and truly engage with Literature. This piece is more than just an argument for taking our time; it’s a call to cultivate empathy, critical thinking, and a richer understanding of ourselves and others. Join us as we explore why, now more than ever, taking time to read matters.
When I started homeschooling, I imagined genteel mornings with my kids, cozy on the couch with our books. But as I quickly discovered, even in the best moments, it’s easy for us to rush through our books, eager to get on with it and onto the next, leaving behind the richness of what they could be learning. But sometimes, just sometimes, it does.
One afternoon, while reading Mustang: Wild Spirit of the West by Marguerite Henry aloud, my daughter paused thoughtfully at a critical point in the story. Zeke, a truck driver involved in mustang roundups, had been secretly helping Annie, the protagonist, to stop these operations. “So, is Zeke actually good or bad?” she asked, clearly troubled. “He helps Annie, but he’s also part of the problem. I’m so confused!” In that sliver of time, I saw clearly how Literature was shaping her ability to grapple with complex ideas that didn’t have simple answers. The kind of critical thinking Literature hopes to nurture.
Taking Time to Read Matters
It is a truth universally acknowledged that in today’s educational landscape, the race to cover content often eclipses the quieter joys of deep reflection and thoughtful engagement. Across many educational systems, there is a heavy emphasis on speed and measurable achievement. In Singapore, over 60% of primary and secondary school students’ instructional time is dedicated to STEM subjects, leaving less than 20% for the arts, including literature and the humanities (Ministry of Education, Singapore, 2021)1. While STEM subjects are undeniably important for the future workforce, this heavy emphasis often means that other subjects, like Literature, are rushed through, leaving little room for reflection and deep engagement with the text.
Too frequently, I hear parents proudly discuss how advanced their children’s reading is,; citing books beyond their children’s emotional or cognitive comfort. That always unsettles me. How could a Literature and Language educator discourage parents from letting their kids read complex stories? What travesty! Then, there are those who would dismiss graphic novels, forgoing their potential to spark literary conversations and thoughts far more critical than the race for reading levels. We find ourselves lured toward the sirens of quick fixes and shallow depths, only to miss the full richness of the journey that requires patience and focus.
Cognitive Benefits of Slow Reading
Slow reading brings real educational benefits. Cognitive psychologist John Sweller’s Cognitive Load Theory2 suggests that when information is absorbed at a manageable pace, the brain processes and retains it more effectively, especially when actively engaged. An article from Edutopia, Boosting Students’ Reading Comprehension by Slowing Down (2020)3, reinforces this, showing that slow, focused reading boosts comprehension and retention. When students take the time to annotate, that is, to underline important passages and jot down notes in the margins – a fundamental skill in Literature – they not only grasp the material more deeply but also remember it better, as the process demands more thoughtful and engaged thinking.
Slow reading isn’t just about understanding the text. It’s also about emotional connection. Literature allows us to step into someone else’s shoes and see the world from their perspective, which helps us develop empathy. A study by David Comer Kidd and Emanuele Castano (2013) showed that reading literary fiction improves empathy by strengthening our “theory of mind,”4 the ability to understand what others are feeling or thinking. In a world where technology often reduces human connection to quick sound bites, slow reading lets us dive deeper into others’ experiences, helping us grow both emotionally and intellectually.
Why does this literary thinking matter, particularly beyond exams? Literature, at its heart, invites us into a deeper understanding of ourselves and others. It cultivates empathy and critical reflection, enabling children and adults to engage with diverse perspectives thoughtfully. Singaporean poet Edwin Thumboo beautifully captures this idea, writing,
The Role of Education Systems in Shaping Reading Habits
I recall vividly my university days studying English Literature and Art History at the University of Sydney. In our intimate Honors seminars held in our tutors’ offices, where we pondered pivotal philosophical perspectives and their representations in Literature, my peers effortlessly navigated literary themes using broader historical, cultural, and artistic references they had gleaned over time in high school, while I constantly felt adrift on a vast, unfamiliar sea of symbolic insight. My understanding was tethered unsteadily only to islands of character and plot, which did little for me in the deeper waters of literary analysis. My schooling had emphasized content recall over context and connection. I knew characters and plots, but not the rich historical context behind them, like trying to understand Shakespeare without knowing anything about Elizabethan England. It was frustratingly limiting.
Later, as a Literature teacher, I recognized these same struggles in my students. Many found poetry daunting, unable to sense emotional nuance or articulate personal responses independently. This stems from a schooling system that prioritizes math and science, training the mind to focus on logic and structure rather than emotion and interpretation. Without careful guidance, these students viewed Literature as a dry, exam-driven chore rather than a meaningful exploration that could nurture their perspective, making them more attuned with the subtleties of language, emotion, and human experience.
This imbalance can impact us in the long run. The Arts, including Literature, aren’t just “nice to have”; they’re key to developing critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and empathy. In a world where technology often takes center stage, these human-centered skills are precisely what we need to tackle the challenges we face globally. Reading thoughtfully, pausing, and reflecting helps kids and adults build the emotional and intellectual resilience we need to navigate life today.
In our homeschool, reading poetry is a cherished ritual at the start of our daily Book Basket Time. We read funny, whimsical poems about dinosaurs, sibling squabbles, and everyday antics, often laughing together despite having been at loggerheads while working at our desks. These moments build bonds and spark conversations far richer than just plot summaries; they create space for curiosity, empathy, and wonder.
Image credit: Ly-ann Tan Low
In our homeschool, reading poetry is a cherished ritual at the start of our daily Book Basket Time. We read funny, whimsical poems about dinosaurs, sibling squabbles, and everyday antics, often laughing together despite having been at loggerheads while working at our desks. These moments build bonds and spark conversations far richer than just plot summaries; they create space for curiosity, empathy, and wonder.
Like Zeke from Mustang: Wild Spirit of the West, I realize how many of us homeschooling parents find ourselves similarly caught in between. We want our children to succeed in a pragmatic society, guiding them toward academic achievement. Yet, we quietly advocate, like gentle heroes, for a more complete and thoughtful education that goes beyond conventional measures of success.
As a family that straddled Hong Kong and Singapore, we experienced educational landscapes strongly weighted toward STEM subjects, and resources for thoughtful literary engagement were scarce. Yet, conversations with fellow homeschooling parents revealed a deep desire for holistic educational experiences.
Introducing: LitLens Studio
The LitLens Studio is a literary endeavor, my gentle rebellion against this hurried approach. My aim is simple: create a safe, low-pressure space to slow down, deeply engage, and savor Literature together. In our 10-Step LitLens workshops, I introduce essential skills through sessions on Literary Devices, Character Motivation, Sensory Language, and Setting Atmosphere, using short passages from engaging materials like funny modern poems, passages from beloved books such as Harry Potter, popular songs, graphic novels, and even short video clips. During these sessions, I prioritize meaningful discussions and personal reflections over lengthy readings and heavy writing assignments. I want to create a space where children can feel excited rather than anxious about Literature, where curiosity and thoughtful engagement matter more than test scores.
Literary workshops by LitLens Studio in progress. LitLens Studio is one of the latest initiatives within the homeschool community that has the potential to be scaled up, catering to the much underserved area of the humanities. Image credit: Ly-ann Tan Low.
If you’ve ever felt the rush of reading without real engagement, join the growing community of parents rediscovering the joy of thoughtful, slow reading. Together, let us challenge the pace of modern education and help our children connect with stories more meaningfully. The LitLens Studio is not just a workshop. It’s a community of warm, curious, like-minded parents and children eager to explore Literature at a thoughtful pace.
Join us in this conversation. Let’s slow down, reflect, and read with intention. Because in a world that’s moving too fast, slow reading is more important than ever.
How to Join a LitLens Studio Workshop
LitLens Studio offers monthly, in-person Literature workshops for homeschooling families in Singapore and beyond. Each session is designed for parents and children to attend together, with no pre-reading, just curiosity and a love for stories.
To participate, join our LitLens Literary Workshops for Curious Readers WhatsApp community at https://bit.ly/4jEnYO7. We share regular updates about upcoming themes there. When sessions open, select your preferred time to secure your spot.
You’ll also receive curated book lists, reflection prompts, and story-based tools to help your family grow in insight, empathy, and confidence. In the months ahead, we’ll also welcome families across Asia into our live online webinars.
About the Educator
The LitLens Studio was created by Ly-ann Tan Low, a fellow homeschooling parent and Literature educator who knows what it’s like to want more than worksheets. It’s for parents who believe in the power of stories, but sometimes wish for some support in guiding their children through them.
Ly-ann’s teaching is grounded in constructivist learning. She guides students to explore, question, and build understanding for themselves. Whether they’re unpacking a metaphor or reflecting on a character’s motivation, she helps each child feel seen, capable, and curious.
Vibrant discussions and engaged minds are the highlights of the LitLens workshops. Image credit: Ly-ann Tan Low.
With First Class Honours in Post-Colonial English Literature and Art History and a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (English Language and Literature), Ly-ann has spent over 20 years teaching in Singapore, Japan, and Hong Kong, including time as an MOE teacher.
She is also an accredited Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) instructor. She regularly offers IEW Structure and Style writing workshops to support parents in raising confident, thoughtful writers at home. If you’d like to explore this, feel free to message her through the LitLens WhatsApp community to express interest.
The LitLens Studio is her way of walking alongside, helping you lead your child into more profound insight, empathy, and confidence, one meaningful conversation at a time.
If you enjoy this article, read our interview with Ly-Ann about her gameschooling endeavours.
Sources
- Ministry of Education, Singapore. (2021). The Singapore Education System. Ministry of Education, Singapore. ↩︎
- Sweller, J. (1988). Cognitive Load During Problem Solving: Effects on Learning. Cognitive Science, 12(2), 257-285. ↩︎
- Edutopia. (2020). Boosting Students’ Reading Comprehension by Slowing Down. Edutopia. Retrieved from https://www.edutopia.org/article/boosting-students-reading-comprehension-slowing-down. ↩︎
- Kidd, D. C., & Castano, E. (2013). Reading Literary Fiction Improves Theory of Mind. Science, 342(6156), 377-380. ↩︎