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Children and Books
By Sarah Holt
The words children and books
go together like peanut butter and jelly. Or salt and pepper.
Read on to find out why the connection between children and books
can be so valuable and how to encourage it.
Why Children and Books
Belong Together
Books can provide experiences
and knowledge that are not available to children in other ways.
Books can transport them into other worlds, other cultures, and
other situations. They can be used for resources, encouragement,
or just for the fun of it.
Another reason children and
books belong together? Children not only find out more about
the world, but in doing so can learn a lot about themselves as
well. They may see possibilities for future occupations or hobbies
in books, or values that they identify with. Dreams may be triggered
through books as children discover many interesting and exciting
facets of the world they live in. The possibilities are many.
Books can also provide information
that children may be uncomfortable talking to someone else about.
They can give kids tools and resources for dealing with many
things, from depression to bullying. There are also books out
there that can teach children how to talk to others about what
is bothering them in a productive and manageable way.
Encouraging the Connection
Between Children and Books
Some children seem to love
books without encouragement. These children will often find a
book that is enjoyable and use every free moment to read it.
But what about the kids who seem to cringe when they are required
to read anything? Don't despair. Read on to find out how to encourage
the connection between children and books, when this connection
does not seem to come naturally.
Find out what the child likes,
for example hobbies and activities. Then find books on these
subjects. Often times it is not that children do not like books,
but that they have not experienced ones that inspire them.
Inspiration may come from experiencing
new genres. Even a child who is exposed to a vast quantity of
books may need some guidance in distinguishing genres and finding
where his/her interests are. Encourage trying out all kinds of
books, even ones that do not appeal at first. This may take some
persuasion or creativity. For example, a reward system can be
used where they earn something once they read a book from each
category, where each category is a different genre.
Find books that children relate
to. This often means one where the main characters are in the
same age range as the child. It also may be useful to find ones
where the characters are experiencing similar life events. The
more a child can relate to a book the more they may feel a connection
to it.
Children and Books:
An Ongoing Story
Bringing children and books
together is an ongoing process. In order to accommodate this
it is useful to have a library card, or access to a large quantity
of books. This way as children grow and change, the books available
to them will continue to provide what they are looking for.
Now that we have explored the
connection between children and books, and provided tools for
nurturing this connection, it's time to go find some books!
Note: For related content, visit the page;
Children and Education - Beyond
School
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