Finding His Words: One Story at a Time

Rohan, a bright 10-year-old from Jalpaiguri in West Bengal, has always loved sharing the small moments of his day with his mother. From the games he played to the lessons he learned at school, their afternoons are filled with chatter, laughter and stories.

However, when Rohan was assessed at the start of the summer remedial learning camp by Pratham, it became clear that although he was in Grade 4, he could recognise only a few letters and could not read simple words. His mother was surprised but determined to help him catch up. She made a quiet promise to ensure he attended the camp every day.

At first, Rohan was shy. He struggled to keep up and often stayed quiet during activities. But the stories, songs and games began to capture his imagination. Slowly, his curiosity grew into confidence. He started participating, trying out new words and smiling more each day.

His mother became his steadfast partner in learning. Each evening, she wrote short stories from the Kahani Train (an audio story guide by Pratham) for him to read and rewrite. Even when he stumbled, she encouraged him gently: “You’re improving every day.” Gradually, the practice paid off. By the third week, Rohan could read short paragraphs on his own, and his confidence flourished.

By the end of the camp, Rohan was reading full stories fluently. He joined group activities with enthusiasm, enjoying storytelling and role-plays that had once made him nervous. “I couldn’t read before, and I felt scared in class,” he said. “Now I can read stories on my own!”

Rohan’s journey is a quiet testament to meeting a child at their learning level. With the encouragement of his mother and a space that made learning joyful, he discovered that even small steps can lead to big achievements and a love for reading that will last a lifetime.

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