The Qatar National Library (QNL) explored strategies to support language development and encourage a passion for books among children in the latest edition of the “Our Children Matter” Forum, a series dedicated to childhood education and health.Titled “Reading Challenges – Insights and Strategies to Effectively Support Language Development”, the session brought together parents, educators, school librarians, and teachers along with mental health experts and consultants to discuss the most effective tools to foster a love of reading in children, help young people overcome challenges they may have in their personal, social, and family lives, and support them in overcoming difficulties they may have with reading.Psychology and education consultant Dr Mustafa Abu Saad was joined by developmental paediatric consultant Dr Hadeel Yassin Faras and Dr Khalid al-Naama, director of Family Research and Policies at the Doha International Family Institute.Maram al-Mahmoud, manager of the QNL’s Children’s & Young Adults’ Library, said that the event, like many other initiatives by the library, equipped various stakeholders with the knowledge and tools to empower children and young people, thus contributing to its mission to promote lifelong learning.“Reading is one of the most important skills that a child can learn, impacting language development and attainment in subjects across school curricula, from sciences to the humanities,” she said. “It can also, of course, be hugely enjoyable – a love of books opens new worlds to children, firing their imaginations, offering inspiration and developing their ambitions.”“That is why today’s event was so important,” al-Mahmoud continued. “In a world of electronic devices competing for their attention, it is important that we learn the best ways to encourage our children to pick up a book, particularly if they find reading difficult.”