“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go!”Dr. Seuss, Author
Reading is the window to worldwide knowledge and the beacon light that help you travel through the tunnel of life. Reading opens up the mind of children to new ideas, concepts and experiences. A book is every child’s trusted friend, philosopher, and guide.
We are living in a world where we consume news, entertainment, and information through media such as mobile phones, video games, computer, TV, and cinema. Unfortunately, books have been long forgotten and left to gather dust in bookshelves and libraries.
Children hesitate to pick up a book and shudder to read it. They do not realize the importance, benefits, or rewards of reading. It is the duty of parents, teachers, and elders to enlighten children on the necessity of reading and inculcate the reading habit in them.
Why Should Children Read?
Here is a list of benefits of reading that parents and teachers can put forth to children to convince them to read.
1. Reading gives children a head start
Right from a young age, toddlers must be taught to read. Joining letters and forming words, reading from left to right, pronunciation – all three requires some practice and this comes from reading.
Reading from the age of infancy gives children a head start from preschool itself and prepares them for school. Children know what is expected of them in class when they learn to read and hence quickly adapt to the classroom routine.
2. Reading enhance language skills and expands vocabulary
Children only learn new words when they read. Reading help children to build their vocabulary and become fluent in the language. Children learn new words, understand their meaning, and learn to use them effectively in sentences. This helps improve their language skills very early in life.
This practice helps students later on as well. In interviews, language skills are sought after and counted foremost. Proper communication is vital for any business. By reading, children can master language easily.
3. Reading improves concentration
Reading stimulates brain development and cognitive skill in children. Reading a book requires effort and concentration. Children have to focus on the words, understand their meaning, register the gist of the chapter, and so on. Children learn to focus their attention and concentrate without allowing their mind to wander or digress. It improves concentration and focus. It also taps into certain specific areas of the brain and stimulates them.
4. Reading instills discipline and patience
Children who are avid readers are more patient and self-disciplined. Reading a book continuously takes time and patience. Reading enables children to pay attention to the book for a certain period of time in a disciplined manner. It also takes patience and dedication to finish reading a book. Reading help children to develop patience and also instills the discipline to finish the task on hand.
5. Reading incites the thirst for knowledge
To excel in their life and career, children should be knowledgeable. This knowledge can come only when they have a curiosity to learn new things. Reading introduces children to a new world of ideas, discoveries, and adventure from many different perspectives. Children develop a longing to explore new avenues, experiment with new ideas, and express new emotions. All this helps them to mature as competent individuals who are constantly innovating and improving.
6. Reading kindles imagination
Many things might seem improbable in real life, but everything is possible in a book. So, children can unleash their imagination and venture into new areas of adventure while reading a book. It helps with their creativity. They could be flying in outer space, going deep sea diving, or exploring dinosaurs thanks to books.
Plus, children must imagine the scenarios themselves rather than a game or a movie where it is spoon-fed to them. Reading opens up new possibilities and urges children to expand their ideas and innovate.
7. Reading reforms children
Great changes have been wrought by reading. Reading teaches children the difference between right and wrong. Reading has the power to engage the reader, establish a connection with him/her, and even alter their perspective on certain issues. There are many good morals and lessons to be learned. Reading is a great reformer and helps children to realize their mistakes and mend their ways.
8. Reading relaxes children
When children have a hard day in school, they look for ways to relax and unwind. Parents must suggest storybook-reading for this relaxation. A lot of electronic media is uncontrolled and there’s no way to prevent children from stumbling upon something inappropriate on the internet while flipping through channels.
Instead of watching TV or playing games late into the night, children can instead pick up a good storybook and read. Reading is the best and safest form of entertainment for children.
9. Reading helps in good parenting
Parenting is a challenge for most adults these days. Children have gained much exposure to all sort of things, both good and bad. Parents have a tough time getting children to listen to them. This is where reading comes to the rescue.
When a parent reads a book to/with a child, the bond of affection is strengthened. Parents can even cite examples from books to convince and persuade children. Self-motivational books are a boon for parents to educate children and make them understand the way of life.
10. Reading develops personality
Reading enhance the personality of the child in a holistic manner. Children gain knowledge, academic, and language skills and life-experiences from books. Virtues like empathy, charity, sympathy, honesty etc. are also advocated by reading.
There is no replacement for reading to build the character and personality of children. What children learn when they’re young shapes their personality later on in life. Parents must set an example for children by reading books themselves and also instills the habit of reading in children by introducing them to quality books.
“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one.”George R. R. Martin, Author
Reading is a healthy alternative to spending hours playing games on the computer or watching television (also derided as the ‘Idiot Box’). Newspapers are one of the best things to read because they offer a lot of information about what’s going on around the world.
Now, imagine a newspaper made just for your child. This is what News Shuttle offers. They offer high-quality informative print media for kids at affordable rates.
News Shuttle curates information and activities, exclusively for kids in the age group 6 to 14 years. It is published fortnightly and is full of interesting news from across the world, attractive activities for kids, eye-catching news for their age and much more. Their pages are not only about up to date information but also full of relevant images to grab the attention of the young readers. They aim to facilitate logical thinking, develop critical analytical skills and nurture their creativity. You can take a look at their subscription plans here.
Similarly, at LetsPractise, we help children develop the habit of reading, studying, and solving questions by themselves. We are an online practice learning site with a cornucopia of worksheets and practice questions from 1st to 10th standard pertaining to all boards like IGCSE, ICSE, CBSE, State Board, etc. Browse our learning plans and be sure to contact our team for more.
Reading helps children to be more responsible, result-oriented and resourceful and reward them with the best benefits in life.