Did you know that the World Book Day celebrated around the world on 23rd April falls on the death of Miguel de Cervantes, William Shakespeare, and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega?
In the UK, World Book Day is commemorated on the first Thursday in March, and it bears repeating as it always has: the benefits of children reading are huge. UNESCO understood this when they instituted World Book Day on 23rd April 1995 to promote reading for pleasure, not just academic requirements. Each year, a World Book Capital city celebrates with a programme of activities.
World Book Day is a constant reminder to put down our electronic devices and go back to our roots with the printed word. A chance for the little ones to build an important habit and make a goal to read more.
In that vein, we want to go beyond all the articles that focus solely on the academic fruits children can reap from reading. In honour of World Book Day, let’s discuss seven non-academic benefits of children reading.
1. Having Your Children Read for World Book Day Reduces Their Screen Time
Our devices are both a boon and a curse. They serve as a repository of human knowledge while also being an addictive distraction. Every parent is well aware of just how much time the child spends glued to TV, computer, and tablet screens.
Books are distraction-free. They don’t strain your eyes from constant exposure to blue light. And the content quality is often far higher than what you might find on social media sites.
Children who spend long periods staring at screens tend to be more irritable and less cooperative. Swapping out that time with books could produce a significant change in their demeanour.
2. It Centres Them and Calms the Mind
The prevalence of children with anxiety has skyrocketed in recent years. Listening to music, taking a walk, or having a cup of tea are a couple of impactful ways to reduce stress. But reading fiction is far more effective.
Social media, movies, and video games usually only agitate children. A good book forces your child’s mind to slow down and contemplate. It’s almost like a form of meditation.
Reading, as far as sedentary habits go, is one of the best to acquire.
3. It Stimulates the Senses and the Imagination
Imagination isn’t just for daydreaming about castles in the sky. It’s where a child gets to put their creativity and critical thinking to the test. And who knows, that imagination may help them to become a writer one day themselves!
Even though books are just paper and ink, they provoke sensory experiences. They give your child a chance to use their mind’s eye, to imagine sounds and scents. Sensory stimulation is crucial in a person’s development, and a book can help greatly in this regard.
Reading develops a stronger connection between the written word and physical sensations. Think of it as a form of strengthening your child’s mind/body connection.
4. It’s a Much Healthier Form of Entertainment
Many parents feel alarmed by the preponderance of violence and depravity in modern entertainment. They worry that their children will absorb this, and become desensitised to it. That can only become an issue later on down the line.
This is not to say that literature is immune to problematic topics. However, books often convey them in more constructive ways. They tackle complex subjects with greater wit and consideration.
In other words, it’s far better for your child to read a book than to binge a TV series.
5. It Cultivates a Lifelong Habit of Reading
There is no need to debate it: reading is good for you, and everyone should be doing more of it. But that may become a problem for Gen Z and the generations that follow. Being raised on addictive smart devices can make it very difficult to form an affinity for reading when it feels “slow” and “boring” by comparison.
Teaching your child to read in their developmental years builds that habit early on. It’s much easier to stick with reading regularly than to form the habit cold turkey. A child can often read children’s books in a single go, making this an easy habit to achieve.
Importantly, find books that your child enjoys. Many people who dislike reading simply have not found a book that they are passionate about. Once they find one that really speaks to them, they won’t be able to put it down.
6. It Keeps the Mind Sharp
Reading is an exercise of concentration, analysis, and contemplation all balled into one. You get nothing if you skim or rush to finish. For this reason, reading is a whetstone for the mind.
Reading builds a child’s mental acuity for a wide variety of non-academic purposes. It gives them more effective tools for analysing situations and solving problems. Having to break down the content of a book hones their mental faculties so they always stay “sharp.”
7. It Helps Develop Empathy
Philosophers have debated for centuries about what makes us human. However, one thing stands out most among the human race: our ability to empathise. Being able to put ourselves in the shoes of others is the most important skill any person can develop.
All types of books, from fiction to nonfiction, place your child in the point of view of someone else. It forces them to see the world from that person’s perspective, and recognise that it is just as valid as their own. This makes your child realise that they should pay closer attention to the lived experience of others rather than staying enveloped in their own.
Going forward, they will be better able to empathise with their peers. They will be able to show greater compassion and treat others with dignity and respect.
Start Reading With Your Child Today
Don’t let World Book Day come and pass you by. Take this as a chance to build a powerful habit of reading regularly with your child. The reading benefits we have outlined above are just the beginning of the ways that this habit can make your little ones happier and healthier.
At Ant learning, we understand the value of childhood reading perhaps better than anyone else. If your child needs help with reading, then send them our way. Sign them up for our accelerated reading programmes and see the difference for yourse
