Five reasons why children's literature
is important
Written by Elen Fichou
As parents or educators, we want to do our best to accompany children as they are learning about themselves and the world. That means being there when they’re scared, sad or happy and encouraging them to be the best version of themselves. But that also means giving them books. They can indeed help both adults and kids as they are full of important life lessons, discoveries about the world and oneself, they can make you cry or make you jump in excitement. Children’s literature is wonderful and if you are still not convinced of it, here are five reasons why it is so important.
1. It develops their imagination
In books, the possibilities are never ending. There are a multitude of worlds, scenarios, characters, etc. that make children’s literature so valuable. Reading about all these stories, especially at a young age, encourages the readers to be creative in their lives. They can imagine they’re the heroes of their own stories, going on magical adventures, or they can dream about their ideal job and life. There are no limits!
2. It’s a fun activity
There are also no limits on how much they can enjoy it. Little ones might find reading so entertaining they want to do it all time. Others might simply like from time to time. For both, books can simply be a fun activity, something to enjoy for their pleasure only. That way, they can discover something they like, they might even discover more about who they are as a person.
3. It creates empathy
Talking about discovery, children’s literature often portrays a lot of diversity. This allows for young readers to learn more about what makes our world. It also teaches them acceptance and to be kind with others. Ultimately, it helps them be more empathetic, helping them go from curious kids to self-aware and culturally intelligent adults.
4. Kids can feel represented
Having diversity also means a lot more chances of seeing oneself in a character whether it be thanks to their physical or personality description. Representation is more than important for kids to feel acknowledged. It helps them understand that they matter, no matter what they look like. This will build their confidence and help with knowing they have a place in this world.
5. Books can talk about tough topics in a gentle way
Other than representation, children’s literature can also help little ones learn more about emotions and other struggles. Even if they are aimed for a young age, children’s books don’t shy away from tackling more sensitive topics such as racism, depression, grief, migration, etc. They even do it in such a gentle way that the themes become less impressive and scary. Kids can approach these difficult emotions in a much easier and interactive manner.
This non-exhaustive list might help you understand just how much kids’ books can accomplish. They can be great companions for little ones as they evolve in this sometimes harsh world. While they might not replace the role of a parent or an educator, they can teach valuable lessons and be a source of comfort for many.