Why do we share literature with children?
Why do we share literature with children?
Reading is extremely fun (exercise is not)! It is exciting to see the new books arrive at the library. Reading a new book is like receiving a gift on Christmas (or ten)! It is exciting to read a new book but sharing a book with a child and seeing him enjoy the book is extremely rewarding. We read for pleasure. We love to lay on our bellies, bring the book close to our face, and laugh or cry with the characters. We simply enjoy reading.
It is extremely beneficial for students to read a minimum of twenty minutes a day because literature aids language development and acquisition. They are able to learn one million eight hundred thousand words per year versus the eight thousand words a student who only reads one minute a day learns. The benefits are fascinating! It is recommended for children to read 1,000 books before Pre-K; the words they read can expand their vocabulary.
I believe we live in a fallen world, so it is our responsibility to add kindness and empathy to it. A human being who is not able to connect with others and is unable to care about others’ pain, can live in a very lonely place. Children develop empathy through books. When we read stories in books, we connect with the characters. We suffer when they suffer and rejoice when they rejoice. What we learn in books, we can apply in our daily lives.
Reading can impact our lives tremendously and we can become addicted to books (that is one wonderful addiction along with having a chocolate addiction). We tend to enjoy books in a series. Therefore, when we find out our favorite author is working on a sequel, our hands begin to tingle because we cannot wait to hold the book, inhale its “new book” scent, and delicately turn its pages (while we drool)! We anxiously wait for it to arrive at the bookstore. Or, if there is no sequel, and we have fallen in love with the author’s writing style, we look for more books written by him or we search for similar titles. Therefore, that heavenly joy that reading provides us with, never ends. This habit follows you all the way to adulthood!
We can improve our self esteem, learn to love ourselves, and embrace our uniqueness when we read books that reflect our lives. When we read about characters that are going through similar situations as we are, we immediately connect with the book. These experiences may include divorce, sexual abuse, the arrival of a baby, or the deployment of a parent. On the other hand, children can learn about the lives of others. They may be exposed to others’ cultures, religious or political views, sexual orientations, and so on. They no longer lack knowledge of those particular subjects that at one point, they didn’t comprehend. Oh, how beautiful is the learning process!
Through reading, children are able to find the answers to the philosophical questions that are difficult to explain. They may wonder what their purpose in life is and books can provide them the answers to these challenging questions. Reading can support a child in every stage of his life and provide the tools he needs to be successful in life. Consequently, he becomes a lifelong learner.
Reading expands the imagination. It is like fuel that sparks our creative side and encourages us to be inventors or problem solvers. It also exposes us to other customs. Today, there are numerous books that include African Americans, Latinos, and exposes us to other rich cultures.
John Green shared 47 interesting facts about authors and their books. He mentioned several authors: E.B. White, Katherine Patterson, Betty McDonald, and many other famous authors. What impacted me the most was to learn all these titles were brought into existence due to fascinating experiences. The author of Bridge to Terabithia, Katherine Patterson, was inspired to write this book when one of her son’s friends was struck by lightning and died. I normally grab a book, turn the pages, look at the illustrations, and read it. I unfortunately never stop to think about the person behind the book. I never ask, “What inspired this author to write this book?” Books, from now on, will have a more profound value: I will think about the author as someone who just like me, suffers, cries, and laughs. The author will no longer be simply a “talented writer” but will also be someone who is human and has flaws and virtues.
Retrieved September 9, 2018, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=ZTtx_rdTAYI&app=desktop
T.L., & K.P. (2016). YA literature textbook. Retrieved September 9, 2018, from
https://docs.google.com/document/d/lzKJ3mRS3HcrsyGAT_606byFycZ1Ap_4YwpAwBobnUY/edit
(n.d.). Retrieved September 13, 2018, from
https://www.stchlibraryfoundation.org/Take20andReadLiteracyCampaign
T.L., & K.P. (2016). YA literature textbook. Retrieved September 9, 2018, from
https://docs.google.com/document/d/lzKJ3mRS3HcrsyGAT_606byFycZ1Ap_4YwpAwBobnUY/edit
(n.d.). Retrieved September 13, 2018, from
https://www.stchlibraryfoundation.org/Take20andReadLiteracyCampaign
Comments
Post a Comment