Hmmmmm. . . let's look at the value of reading:
- Reading is relaxing. Children need time to just chill. There' so much pressure in our society to be on a sports team, take music, dance, or gymnastics lessons, or participate in some type of camping experience. While there is certainly nothing wrong with these things - and they actually ARE important - reading a good book just helps you to relax.
- Reading is enjoyable. Push away the cares and pressures of life for awhile. Kick off your shoes and just enjoy learning about a new topic, or traveling to a distant land vicariously through the eyes of a favorite (or a new) character.
- Reading challenges the mind. Good reading causes a child to engage in whatever he/she is reading. Do they agree/disagree with the topic? Is this new information that causes them to stretch their mind in order to understand it? Are they exposed to a new idea that encourages them to do more research?
- Reading provides academic growth. Reading literature, particularly non-fiction, increases a child's understanding of her/his world. When a child reads information, particularly if photographs/pictures/illustrations/diagrams are present, they have a greater capability of retaining the information.
So, the next time your child (or student) says, "I'm bored," you will know what to do. Just hand her/him a good book!
