Why do we tell children to read ?

 

We’re always telling children that books and reading are good for them,

but have we ever really thought about why that’s true ? Exactly what do

older children get out of reading novels ? What do younger kids get from

being read to ? Does reading matter ?

The purpose of this article is to say that, yes, it’s true, reading really is

important, and that there are some solid reasons why that is so. Let’s

begin with the practical benefits and then move on to the less tangible

rewards of a life filled with reading.

 

Books help children develop vital language skills.

 

Reading is an important skill that needs to be developed in children.

Not only is it necessary for survival in the world of schools and (later

on) universities, but in adult life as well. The ability to learn about new

subjects and find helpful information on anything from health problems

and consumer protection to more academic research into science or

the arts depends on the ability to read.

Futurologists used to predict the death of the printed word but,

ironically, Internet has made reading more and more a part of people’s

daily lives. The paperless society is a myth. The computer’s ability to

process and analyze data means that endless variations on reports and

other types of documents can be and are generated. Internet, itself

an enormous new source of information and recreation, is based on

the humble written word. To effectively utilize the web and judge the

authenticity and value of what is found there, both reading and critical

thinking skills are of prime importance.

The more children read, the better they become at reading. It’s as

simple as that. The more enjoyable the things they read are, the more

they’ll stick with them and develop the reading skills that they’ll need

for full access to information in their adult lives. Reading should be

viewed as a pleasurable activity – as a source of entertaining tales

and useful and interesting factual information.

The more young children are read to, the greater their interest in

mastering reading. Reading out loud exposes children to proper

grammar and phrasing. It enhances the development of their spoken

language skills, their ability to express themselves verbally.

Reading, by way of books, magazines or websites, exposes kids to new

vocabulary. Even when they don’t understand every new word, they

absorb something from the context that may deepen their understanding

of it the next time the word is encountered. When parents read aloud to

children, the children also hear correct pronunciation as they see the

words on the page, even if they can’t yet read the words on their own.

 

 

 

Reading can open up new worlds and enrich
children’s lives.

 

 

 

As mentioned above, reading opens doors – doors to factual

information about any subject on earth, practical or theoretical.

Given the wealth of available resources such as Internet, libraries,

schools and bookstores, if children can read well and if they see

reading as a source of information, then for the rest of their lives

they will have access to all of the accumulated knowledge of mankind,

access to all of the great minds and ideas of the past and present.

It truly is magic !

Through books, children can also learn about people and places from

other parts of the world, improving their understanding of and concern

for all of humanity. This, in turn, contributes towards our sense that we

truly live in a “global village” and may help us bring about a more

peaceful future for everyone.This can happen through nonfiction but,

perhaps even more importantly, reading novels that are set in other

places and time periods can give children a deeper understanding of

others through identification with individual characters and their plights.

Through stories and novels children can vicariously try out new

experiences and test new ideas, with no negative consequences in

their real lives. They can meet characters who they’ll enjoy returning

to for comforting and satisfying visits when they reread a cherished

book or discover a sequel. Books also give kids the opportunity to flex

their critical thinking skills in such areas as problem solving, the concepts

of cause and effect, conflict resolution, and acceptance of responsibility

for one’s actions. Mysteries allow children to follow clues to their logical conclusions and to try to outguess the author. Even for very young

children, a simple story with a repetitive refrain or a simple mystery to

solve gives a confidence boost. Children can predict the patterns and

successfully solve the riddles.

Children are influenced by and imitate the world around them. While

a steady diet of violent cartoons may have a detrimental effect on

children’s development, carefully chosen stories and books can have

a positive influence on children, sensitizing them to the needs of others.

For example, books can encourage children to be more cooperative, to

share with others, to be kind to animals, or to respect the natural

environment.

 

Reading can enhance children’s social skills.

 

Although reading is thought of as the quintessential solitary activity, in

certain circumstances reading can be a socializing activity. For example,

a parent or grandparent reading a story aloud, whether  from a traditional

printed book or from an ebook,  can be a great opportunity for adult and

child to share some quiet, relaxed quality time together away from the

rush and stresses of the business of daily living. They share a few minutes

of precious time, plus they share the ideas that are contained in the story.

In addition, older children can be encouraged to read aloud to younger

ones as a means of enhancing their relationship.

At school or at a library story hour, books can bring children together

and can be part of a positive shared experience. For some preschoolers

this may be their primary opportunity to socialize and to learn how to

behave around other children or how to sit quietly for a group activity.

Make the most of this experience by encouraging children to talk about

what they’ve read or heard.

 

Reading can improve hand-eye coordination.

 

It may sound funny, but ebooks can be a way for children to improve

their fine motor skills and their hand-eye coordination, as they click

around a childfriendly website or click the backward and forward buttons of online story pages. They may also be picking up valuable computer

skills that they’ll need in school and later in life.

 

Reading can provide children with plenty of
good, clean fun !

 

I’ve saved the most important point for last. Reading can provide

children with endless hours of fun and entertainment. All of the

pragmatic reasons above aren’t at all necessary to justify reading’s

place in children’s lives. Stories can free up imaginations and

open up exciting new worlds of fantasy or reality. They allow children

to dream and may give them a good start on the road to viewing

reading as a lifelong source of pleasure, so read to your young

children every day.

Inspire your older children to read. Give them access to plenty of

reading material that they’ll enjoy and discuss it with them. Sample

everything – traditional printed books and  ebooks on Internet, classic

children’s novels and fairy tales, as well as more modern stories.

If a child wants to hear the same story over and over again, don’t

worry about it. Children take comfort from the familiarity and

predictability of a beloved story that they know by heart. There’s no

harm in that. Reread old favorites and, at the same time,  introduce

your children to new stories. Your child’s mind and heart have room

for both.

 

So reading really does matter after all !

 

There are so many ways  in which reading continues to be both a

vital skill for children to master, and an important source of knowledge

and pleasure that can last a lifetime. Nurture it in your children. Make

the most of all the resources that are available and waiting for you:

printed books, online books, magazines and so forth. Encourage follow-

up activities involving creative writing skills and the arts, as well, so that

your children can reflect upon or expand on what they’ve absorbed and,

at the same time, develop their own creativity. As you help your kids

appreciate the magic of reading, you’ll find that there’s a whole

wonderful world full of children’s literature out there that YOU can enjoy too.