| Using Children?s Literature to Entertain and Educate | | | | help a child to learn in a way that is dynamic and |
| Your Kids | | | | exciting. How much more interesting to read a realistic |
| What are Children?s Books? | | | | tale about a child who lived through the Revolutionary |
| Not only are children?s books a great way to keep | | | | War than to read a dry account of the war in a |
| kids occupied, but they help them to learn as well. | | | | history book! |
| Good children?s books are proven to appeal to kids | | | | Categories of Children?s Books |
| and keep them engaged and interested. In general, | | | | Children?s books are usually divided into categories |
| children?s books are books that were written | | | | corresponding to the age and reading skills of the child. |
| specifically for children. However, there are several | | | | Board books are durable books meant for babies and |
| books that were originally written for adults and are | | | | toddlers aged 0-3. Pre-readers are picture books |
| today considered children?s books. Mark Twain?s | | | | aimed at kids in the 3-5 age group. Early readers are |
| Huckleberry Finn is one notable example. | | | | for kids aged 6-8 who are learning to read. Chapter |
| Educational Value of Children?s Books | | | | books are designed for children in the 9-12 age group |
| Children?s books are fantastic educational tools for | | | | who are ready to tackle more complex stories. Young |
| kids. Studies have shown that children who read | | | | adult books are aimed at teens. |
| frequently have better writing and reading skills than | | | | Choosing Children?s Books |
| those who do not, and kids who have children?s | | | | Choosing children?s books can be a challenging task. |
| books at home tend to learn to read earlier. Children | | | | Although there are many spectacular books out there, |
| who were read to from a young age have been | | | | it can be difficult to select books that your child will |
| shown to have better reading skills, vocabulary and a | | | | enjoy reading again and again. Here are a few tips for |
| better understanding of the material being read than | | | | picking children?s books that your kids will love. |
| their counterparts who were not read to. Many families | | | | Ask a professional for help. Librarians and teachers |
| make the bedtime story a ritual that both kids and | | | | know which books are well-written and popular and |
| parents look forward to daily. Even when the child is | | | | can steer you towards the best choices. |
| old enough to read, the parents continue to read more | | | | Think about the things that interest your child, such as |
| complex books to the child. | | | | sports or music, and try to find stories about those |
| Following the exploits of characters in children?s books | | | | topics. |
| can help children learn to deal with situations they might | | | | Go with the classics. Give your child books that have |
| encounter in their own lives. For example, seeing how | | | | been entertaining generations of young readers. |
| a character in a book solves a disagreement with | | | | Look for books featuring your child?s favorite |
| another character can give the child ideas for resolving | | | | television characters. |
| conflicts with his own friends. Children?s books can | | | | |