Children's Book Week, Day 2: "Books For Children Improve Your Child's Imagination and Attention," by Rod and Vicky Dagan



In a world dominated by digital entertainment, books for children must be introduced in the home and in school. Books require minimal money investment but the return on investment are excellent, especially when these are compared to digital entertainment like video games. Indeed, parents and teachers must conspire for the good of their children!
Benefits of Children's Books
This early, it must be emphasized that the benefits derived from children's books can only be enjoyed when the parent/teacher encourages their children to read them. You can accomplish this goal by setting a good example of being a book lover yourself and by reading the books to them. After all, children's books are inanimate objects that need an animate object to move it!
With that said, here are the advantages to be had from reading books for children to your kids:
o It builds familial bonds because you spend quality time with each other.
o It helps your child understand the purpose of the written word in relation to the spoken word and the ways with which each word can be used in everyday conversations.
o It builds vocabulary in fun ways, often by means of shared humor.
o It develops listening skills that will translate itself into better communication skills.
o It promotes a love for literature that, when coupled with your loving guidance, can transform into a love for knowledge.
o It enhances information absorption, a skill necessary to allow your child to function in society.
The greatest benefit of introducing your kids to books for children is opening up worlds to their imagination and exploration. In this way, you provide them with the personal skills to tackle the real world one book at a time!
Appropriate Children's Books
However, you just don't read whatever children's book is on hand! You have to consider the age, reading level and personal interests of your child before selecting a book for them. You want to hold their attention, sustain their interest and whet their appetite for books, books and more books!
Fortunately for parents and teachers alike, most books for children are classified according to the ages of their readership base. Thus, for kids 0-5 years old, books with colorful visuals are best since these stimulate vision, promote identification, and enhance connections to the outside world. You can purchase sturdy board books and picture books for this age group.
For the kids 7-9 years old, story lines with short chapters are best. Of course, the words used are often more complex than those contained in their toddler books. You will observe that these books also incorporate basic character development and plot structure, which can challenge your child's ability to tell a story in his own words.
Books for children 10-12 years old often deal with more sophisticated content for adolescents. There are fewer drawings and illustrations since the action is on the words themselves.
Also, don't limit your child's reading repertoire to fiction books since non-fiction is also a rich source of information. You can mix folktales, poetry, science fiction, biographies, and natural studies. This way, you prevent boredom from setting in with the same stories told over and over again.


Rod and Vicky from Childrens Book Hunter [http://www.childrensbookhunter.com] provides help and guidance for you to promote your child's imagination and attention by reading Childrens Books appropriate to their capacity thus improving it[http://www.childrensbookhunter.com/ar/childrens-personalized-books.php


Don't forget to visit the other participating Guardian Angel Publishing authors:
Margo Dill - www.margodill.com/blog



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Comments

Donna McDine said…
Hi Mayra,

Terrific article with helpful guidelines. Definitely, children mimmick what they see. If they see the adults around them reading they will too.

Best regards,
Donna
Great info Mayra. Even when my children where older 7th and 8th grade, we still would have a family novel that we were reading out loud together.
Very informative article, Mayra. Thank you. Kids that get a love of reading from their parents will usually love reading for themselves. Reading to a child before bed, or even in the afternoon, creates a time of closeness and bonding, as well as offering an example for the joys of reading.

BOOKS for Kids - Manuscript Critiques
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Sharon Stanley said…
Great post Mayra! Such a wonderful lesson in why reading to your kids is always a good idea. One of my favorite gifts when I was pregnant was a basket of kid books!
Susan B James said…
I would add, continue to read to your children, even if you think they are old enough to read for themselves. Some children's brains are so much quicker than they physical reading skill level, that reading becomes a chore. If you continue to read to them till they get past that, you've probably hooked them on reading. Oddly enough I blogged this week at Pen and Ink http://thepenandinkblog.blogspot.com/ on Children's Book Teacher Appreciation week and Mothers Day.
I have been so busy that I have not been on the net and did not realize GAP authors swere doing it.
I would love to know what book hooked you on reading? Blessings, Sue B
Great article and a special ovation for Mary Jo and their family novel. I especially love the Harry Potter novels for bringing my family together for so much fantastic family time.