Does your child need books as much as they need you?

In the same manner that nutritious meals, constant love, a stable structure and education (amongst other things) are key pillars in the formative years of childhood, reading and the exposure to books hold an immeasurably key role in a child’s development. 

But why is this the case? Technically speaking, reading and storytelling assist in the learning of language, the expansion of vocabulary, the familiarity of sound and the development of early literacy skills. However on a more subjective level, reading - through visual or verbal forms - help with personal expression, offer visual entertainment and significantly foster focus, concentration, social and communication skills in your child’s world. Often, and most valuably, it is the way in which stories and storytelling promote introspection and the growth of emotional intelligence that will change your child’s life.

Morality, autonomy and empathy are the book's secret weapons. Do you remember hearing of the classics ‘The Boy Who Cried Wolf’, ‘The Ugly Duckling’, ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ or ‘Goldilocks and the Three Bears’? Brilliantly intertwined with hidden messages and morals, short form classic stories teach of the importance of honesty, equality, passion and moderation all through the enjoying tales of adventurous characters.

Offering an enjoyable way of teaching your children key life lessons will expand their view of their world and their intrapersonal relationships with their peers, themselves and their family. Stories to this day are modelled off the classics and continue to offer a moral example for your child to develop their own sense of autonomy and ethics - deciding good from bad, right from wrong and yes from no. Consider reading and books your child’s boat as they navigate the transformative seas of childhood, pre-pubuscence and adulthood. 

Now, the common misconception with this invaluable necessity is that books and reading must entail high level texts at young ages or extensively long and complicated stories however this is far from the truth. Offer your children picture books and ease them into more multimodal expressions. Perhaps come up with a fantastical, simple or detailed bedtime story. Or even better - let them tell you their own story. Encourage expression, encourage the reading of expression and you’ll encourage the child. 

Reading a book is a relationship your child can always count on. Books and thus stories will never fade; instead they’re pivotal in comforting, teaching and exploring the world. In the fine and trusted words of Dr Seus,

“The more that you read, the more things you’ll know. The more that you learn, the more places you will go”

Happy reading and much love from the reading corner at Turtletot.