|
by Barbara Freedman-De Vito
HERE ARE SOME OF THE REASONS WHY READING IS SO IMPORTANT FOR
CHILDREN.
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. One source for such stories is Children's Clothing and Stories
from Baby Bird Productions
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.
|
