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If You'd Like to Know Why Reading Matters
by Barbara Freedman-DeVito ©2004
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, the
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. The 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 non-fiction 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
child-friendly 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 favourites
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.
About The Author
Barbara Freedman-De Vito, children's librarian, teacher,
professional storyteller, and artist, writes and illustrates animated children's
stories which are available from
Baby
Bird Productions Children's Stories and Fairy Tales which also has free
games and educational activities for children and parents.
mail@babybirdproductions.com
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