Books!

Spoil them with all kinds of books from infancy to adulthood.

Books connect our human experience through the use of words, pictures, and conversation. Family literacy is a critical part of raising kids and here are several reasons why you should spoil your kids with books!

• They help babies match pictures to spoken words and sounds as they learn to communicate.

• Toddlers and pre-schoolers can recognize letters and begin to understand how letters make words.

• Stories can be used to entertain and used as a fun way to teach lessons. A good storyline can spark great conversations with our kids and teens about circumstances, character choices, and connections to real-world topics. It helps them think about good choices without hearing a lecture.

• Non-fiction texts help kids understand how the world works, new vocabulary, and the joy of lifelong learning. As they start school, they are already familiar with how to read this genre as they dive into textbooks for science or history lessons. Your kids will continue to use non-fiction books as they become adults and want to learn how to remodel a bathroom or how to care for their new infant.

• What about picture books?

  • They help pre-readers follow a story and be able to re-tell it later using the pictures as clues.

  • Techniques used by illustrators introduce kids to art appreciation by viewing the different mediums and styles of illustrators. One artist may use clay sculptures, while another vibrant watercolors and yet another paper collages to bring the pages of a book alive. Discuss how the art pairs with the words. How do the illustrations add more detail to the story?

  • Diagrams, charts, and graphs are pictures that help us understand and share data in a fun yet efficient way from the elementary school years well into the college and career years.

• Emotional connections can be made through books as well. Snuggling with kids and sharing books is one of the best ways to bond with your children.

  • Share some laughs over a silly plot twist.

  • Hold them a little closer as you share a sentimental read.

  • Become empowered together over a book that highlights a cause you are interested in supporting.

• Imagination is sparked with books!

  • Read aloud a chapter book to kids and discuss how they perceive the setting to appear or describe the details of a character.

  • Let kids draw while you read stories to them, or try to recreate an illustration using the medium that the illustrator used.

  • Challenge kids to re-write a part of the story or write a sequel.

  • Books make good scripts for the impromptu plays or puppet shows kids love to produce.

  • Kids can make believe they are running their own library or bookstore by organizing bookshelves or hosting storytimes with their stuffed animals.

• Books enlighten us about different perspectives, cultures, and lifestyles. Books can shock us, provoke us to change, and start meaningful conversations.

• Books allow us to go at our own pace.

  • We can stop and think about what is happening in a story before continuing on.

  • If we are learning a new hobby, we may need to practice a step a few times before turning the page.

  • We can skip sections or sneak to the last page to figure out the suspenseful ending ahead of time.

• Reading is a great screen-free and quiet time activity. Young kids can read the pictures, while older kids curl up to re-join a great adventure where they last left their bookmark.

• Finding new books is so very fun!

  • Stroll through a local bookstore for new releases!

  • DIg through library shelves for classics!

  • Score a deal on books at thrift stores, or garage sales!

• Souvioneer books are a great memento to purchase while on a family vacation or a day trip to the local museum or zoo. Not only do they remind you of the fun that you had, but they reinforce the new things that were learned or experienced!

• Books can be shared, borrowed, or re-used! They can be handed down to the next generation, inscribed, and given as gifts for special celebrations!

• Books are fun on road trips, on airplanes, and at the beach or park!

• Encourage your young readers to share their opinions by writing book reviews.

• Torn pages or worn books can be recycled into art projects, or reconstructed by kids into a new handmade story that they create and share.

I am not one to recommend spoiling kids, but books are truly one of the healthiest ways you can treat your kids to something special!

Enjoy some new books, and enjoy the family time that goes along with sharing books together!

Here are more posts full of inspiration for parents:

• Learning at Home: A List of FUN Educational Activities for the Whole Family

• Family Poetry Resources

• Parenting Summer Break: Fun Food Ideas

• 20+ Tips for Overworked and Overwhelmed Working Moms

• Tips on Helping Your Kids Learn to Pack Their Own Lunch

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