How Books Boost Your Child's Well-Being
By Brandi Goodman
Reading Month in March encourages all children to pick up a book and read. No matter the genre your child enjoys, there's all kinds of books available to meet their interests. Even those who don't necessarily like to read can get some enjoyment from a comic book or graphic novel with both words and pictures presented. Books boost your child's well-being in numerous ways, so encouraging them to pick one up often is beneficial ... Reading Month or not.
Developing Language and Literacy
From a young age, children who read or are read to are developing their language skills and improving their literacy. A baby being read to even has the ability to learn new sounds. Your child needs these basic skills so they can grow and develop additional, related skills in the future.
Improving Concentration
Sitting still and reading a book, looking at the small words on the page, improves concentration. Sitting and listening to someone else read does the same. This essentially boosts your child's brain health and enhances the ability to focus. It also helps with memory and retention. Encourage your kids to at least sit with a story for 10 minutes before giving up. If they have a hard time focusing, let them try again later so their brain can truly be engaged.
A Way to Relieve Stress
The world is stressful, even for a youngster. Kids have school, homework, and chores to get done each day. They're allowed to feel stressed and overwhelmed. Let them sit with a book they enjoy and relieve the stress they're feeling. Focusing on the words on the page and getting immersed in the story can really help take their mind away from the real world and be put into another perspective. If your child's mental health is struggling, getting them some books to focus on can help.
Bonding Time
Your child doesn't have to read alone. You can read to them or even sit and read in the same room as them. It encourages bonding time between the two of you and can help them really become accustomed to the activity. If your kids see you enjoy books, they may come to enjoy them as well.
Books boost health and well-being in numerous ways. Make sure you're encouraging your child to read during March Is Reading Month so they can gain all the benefits. You can read to them as well and gain the bonding time a good book provides.
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