What is the benefits of reading for kids? Paul Rand once said: “You will learn most things by looking, but reading gives understanding. Reading will make you free.”
When it comes to reading, you can hardly find a more influential habit to change both individual and social respects of your lifestyle.
And it is not just because there is endless joy in it, as a gift you can open again and again, it is the key role it has in one’s mental, emotional, and social development.
At Hakim International School, we have always appreciated the importance of reading in shaping the educational journey of our students. We are passionate in our commitment to create a culture of reading, as we have seen, over the past hears, it’s considerable effect on our student’s growth and future prospects.
In this article, we will discuss the impact of reading on children and teenagers. But are the supposed benefits as significant as they seem? Let’s find out.
The Advantages of Reading in School
When it comes to reading at school, we surly hope for more than improved literacy skills in students. We at Hakim, in harmony with our students and their parents, wish for enhanced critical thinking and creativity.
Reading, if it’s done regularly and out of passion and not as a burden, expand the students vocabulary and mental capacity to analyze complex texts.
Reading in school gradually gives students the proper confidence required in academic settings and enables them to participate in complex discussions and class activities.
Benefits of Reading for Students
As we mentioned before, reading comes with a load of benefits on students mental and social growth. Harry Truman, the 33rd president of the United States once said: “Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers”.
Reading is necessary to children when it comes to understanding the world around them, strengthening their world view and problem-solving ability.
Furthermore, by reading, children improve their ability to focus and attention span, which has been weakened, especially in last decade, due to overconsumption of social media.
Reading also enhances the students creativity, and if the materials they read is age appropriate, contribute greatly to their ability to socialize. Through different books, young minds are exposed to new and unfamiliar morals and cultural concepts that effect their beliefs in all kinds of ways and build their character.
The Major Benefits of Reading
We will now discuss some of those advantages we briefly mentioned below:
Building Imagination and Creativity
One of the most exciting outcomes when it comes to reading for children is their ability to take countless imaginative journeys thorough the story. Powerful, well written tales fill the young minds with imagination and exciting scenarios that greatly develop their imaginative abilities.
This is where and when children develop their problem-solving skills and innovative personality in the future. One of the most wonderful yet strange fact is that the human brain doesn’t differentiate between real incidents that actually happen and those imagined during reading or experiences in dreams.
Books can, therefore, expose children to different situations, enhancing their reservoir of experiences. Stories that arise children’s curiosity and ask inspiring questions will serve as a strong stimulus for creativity.
Reducing Stress and Anxiety
Reading acts like a shield to keep away stress and mental pressures; it is a soothing activity. While reading a book, children are able to forget about all the pressure that might exist in an external environment and free their minds from negative thoughts. For instance, comic and entertaining books lift the spirits of the children and drive away anxiety.
When you become one with a books that is written on, for example, how to overcome life challenges, you will find one or to practical skills and strategies needed to cope with life’s stress.
On other scenarios, when you read about a protagonists overcoming unexpected obstacles on their lives, it’s hard not to take them as a positive role model. These stories enhance resilience and adaptability in children.
Expanding Knowledge and Awareness
Books open windows to a vast world of knowledge. A very significant benefit of reading is that it gives children and teenagers the chance to gain extensive information on many subjects.
From dinosaurs and wildlife to ancient civilizations and cutting-edge scientific advancements, books have in store endless and valuable insights. Nonfiction books, such as encyclopedias, science books, and biographies, prove to be especially valid reference materials for increasing awareness.
Novels and stories, on the other hand, introduce readers to different cultures and ways of life, thus increasing general knowledge. The more varied the books, the wider children base of knowledge would be.
A Gateway to Success
Children who come to love books early in life usually start school and formal learning better equipped and ready for it.
Books significantly improve the vocabulary of children, which is an important considerations in children’s academic endeavors. Continual reading, which might even be more valuable than starting to read, enhances children’s attention span, which will have it’s gradual yet definite effect on good academic performance.
In our years of experience, we have seen that students who read regularly are also more motivated to learn and have a stronger desire to continue their education. Reading not only assists them with the smooth transition to school but also continues to be a real friend throughout their time as it makes learning more interactive and satisfying.
Improving Language and Writing Skills
Reading plays an important role in the development of children’s linguistic abilities. Young readers gradually develop a rich vocabulary and are able to use words and phrases more precisely. Exposure to all kinds of texts and styles of writing enhances writing ability as well.
Difficult books introduce children to new structures of sentences and new words, teach them to build sentences correctly and express their thoughts clearly.
Building Character and Social Skills
Books present a unique opportunity to take a glimpse into other people’s internal worlds. When children read stories with full of different characters and diverse backgrounds, they learn to:
- Put themselves in other people’s shoes and understand the situation from that perspective.
- Show empathy towards other people’s feelings and needs.
- Come across various behavioral patterns and personality traits that could inspire personal growth.
- Enhance their social skills through stories emphasizing on friendship, collaboration, and respect for others.
Improving Focus and Attention Span
As we briefly mentioned before and in today’s world, the ability to focus on a single task is more important, yet harder than ever. Reading is an excellent exercise for improving childrens concentration and extending their attention spans.
This one is one of the most valuable advantages of reading in school, as when engrossed in a story, children will eventually tune out distractions and pay attention to whatever is happening in the book. Over time, this practice reinforces their capability to stay focused on one subject.
Research proves that children who read regularly can pay better attention to things for longer periods and solve complicated, multistep problems.
Final Words
Reading opens countless doors to growth and learning. This enjoyable activity fosters imagination, expands knowledge, strengthens language skills, shapes character, enhances focus, and reduces stress. All these contribute to the development of children and teenagers.
At Hakim International School, we believe in providing an intellectually stimulating and rich environment that helps our students develop a love for books and reading.
We hope our students find the success and personal growth we envision for them by embracing the opportunity to explore a wide range of books.
You can call 021-79926 for advice and registration at Hakim International School, or visit Hakim’s blog to read more.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I motivate my child to read?
- Spend time reading with your child.
- Give them the freedom to choose books of their liking.
- Encourage reading at home.
- Provide them with books of their interest and relevant to their age group.
What kind of books can be provided to children in different age groups?
- For preschool: Books with illustrations and a simple story.
- School-going age: Stories for entertainment, books on animals, and adventure.
- Teenagers: Novels, science fiction, and biographies.
How many hours does one recommend a child or teenager read every day?
Depending on the child’s age, 20 to 40 minutes of reading per day is quite good. However, establishing a consistent daily reading habit is more important than the exact duration.
