The Benefits of Reading for Fun: Learn More For Ages 2-13
It’s simple: reading for pleasure without satisfying a school assignment. The benefits of reading for fun are numerous!
Let’s face it: a lot of parenting these days can feel like you’re just giving in to more screen time. It’s the digital age after all and tablets, iPhones, TVs, and beyond are readily available wherever you go. But there is a better way to immerse children, and this better way will help your children become more empathetic, more capable of making decisions, and increase their cognitive engagement (brain power!) as they grow and mature.
Studies show that reading for pleasure actually stimulates the brain in ways that grow empathy and enable better decision-making in the real world. And that is just one of the benefits of reading for fun. Reading exercises our brains, improves concentration which will be especially important when children hit older grades, and teaches us about the real world. There is so much children can glean from simple words on a page which is why it’s important for us to healthily promote reading for pleasure as often as we can.
Kids who self-select the books they read eventually come to enjoy picking new titles so much that they might even discover they like reading (gasp)! These are just the tip of the benefits-of-reading-for-fun iceberg.
But how can parents encourage the benefits of reading for fun, without making it feel like a chore or school work?
Well, school’s out, and it’s not like kids want to do something educational in the summertime. Well, one way is for the parents to read themselves. Children will see this and mimic behavior if they deem it rewarding or pleasurable. Another answer? It will be found if you just keep reading. See what we did there?
Book Clubs and Other Delights
One of the best ways to help your child discover the benefits of reading for fun is to get them involved and invested in it. If they’re reading a Calvin & Hobbes book, at least they’re reading. You won’t have to stress about whether they’re soaking up all of the benefits of reading for fun because it will be obvious: they’ll actually enjoy it.
This discovery is why Northwest NC Families is starting a book club of our own. We see the value in enabling reading for pleasure because we know that kids who read for fun, without being forced to, actually do better in every subject in school (math, science, english, PE, you name it). Book clubs encourage critical thinking and deeper engagement with stories, especially if kiddos have a friend to share their ideas with who is simultaneously reading the same novel.
Book clubs also keep children accountable. One of the main components of a book club is discussion and collaboration. Discussion in a book club relies on all participants having read and understood the book. Sometimes, kids will be inclined to skim or browse a story or read certain passages to get the general idea and prove they’ve completed some of the work. Book clubs combat that.
But the benefits of reading for fun don’t stop there. Learning to love reading can actually have more of an impact on how successful your kids will be in life than their socioeconomic circumstances–a fact that many people don’t realize.
Knowing that, we’d like to put some tools in your hands. How about a few book recommendations?
Book Recommendations for Ages 2-5
Odd Beasts Meet Nature’s Weirdest Animals by Laura Gehl, illustrated by Gareth Lucas: A super-cute board book about nature.
Who’s Hiding on the River? by Katharine McEwen: Find out which animals are hiding along the river bank.
Book Recommendations for Ages 6-9
Happy Paws: Layla and the Bots by Vicky Fang, illustrated by Christine Nishiyama: The hero of this STEM-oriented story must brainstorm solutions for people bringing their dogs to the park.
Dragons in a Bag by Zetta Elliott, illustrated by Geneva B: Time travel with three magic dragons!
Book Recommendations for Ages 10-13
Elements of Genius: Nikki Tesla and the Ferret-Proof Death Ray by Jess Keating: Solve the mystery by using the clues before the villain can use the death ray.
City Spies by James Ponti: The hero in this tale is a foster kid who gets recruited by MI-6!
Oh, the Benefits of Reading for Fun!
When somebody makes an effort to be the change they want to see, it makes a difference. That’s why we’re starting a book club at Northwest NC Families. We believe it does make a difference, and we want to invest in our kids for a better, brighter future. You’re invited to the fun too! If you have books you’d like to see on our list, send us an email and we will add them.
Looking for some local libraries to check out in your area? Take a trip (or call ahead to see if your chosen book is in stock to check out) with your local libraries (Watauga, Avery, Ashe, Wilkes).