The Importance of Reading Books to Kids' Personality Development
Categories: Kids
The Importance of Reading Books to Kids' Personality Development
People hoarding books have more favorable human relating than those who do not have any. Yes, books teach us a lot of things.
Get a storybook and see how people behave in the story. Their goal is to reach the top rung of the ladder, say career, business, etc. they could be in constant battle with their inner demons. Yes, pride, envy, jealousy, and so on could be a bitter truth about themselves. Learning how they face these and overcome them is something that can be done also when we feel the same travail. We need to be good, kind, fair, and just to be called well-adjusted individuals. For, living with other people around, we must be easy to be with, know our boundaries, and be willing to learn a thing or two about relating. And, book reading is one sure way to get ourselves the needed skills in dealing with different people around. Vicarious learning is key. When you read a book about the character being the butt of jokes, or maligned or what, you tend to get empathized. You know that it is not a good thing to do such or receive such treatment. Thanks, to the books I have read!
When I surveyed my students, only a few of them have reading materials at home. They do not have any books aside from textbooks given by the school for them to read for the school year. This is so alarming, considering the importance of book reading to a kid to develop his/her comprehension skills, fluency, and vocabulary, but more so on his/her appreciation of human dynamics where people have different personalities, beliefs, and all, thus having different action-reactions to a given issue, etc.
Young minds must be developed into well-rounded persons later. They must have absorbed wisdom from great literature and been more sympathetic and empathetic to all, especially those beyond their close contact. Challenges with biases and hatred with some people -though irrational all persist because of a lack of the habit of reading books and learning the dynamics of positive social interactions.
Those who are wide and wild readers, if you notice, they are silent and easier to be with, they could get one's uniqueness sans bias and prejudice and all. That is the essence of reading books where we become more understanding, supportive, and whatnot to people around us.
However, there is always an exception to the rule: some of us, have this tenacity to be audaciously prejudiced against a person. Even, so-called educated ones. Yes, true education is seen in how you deal with people beyond your close contact, the way you treat them is your brand of social adjustment: treat people well to show your learned behavior gotten from varied readings, experiences, and the like.
So, the next time I visit you, kindly serve coffee or tea... and a book which you have read countless times! I might get something wisdom from such and be a better person than the one I used to be. Just kidding!
Larry Icabandi Nabiong
Grade school teacher, published author/article writer, grape nook grower, environment/IP advocate, social entrepreneur wannabe, among other great endeavors.
Currently working on his first novel with the working title: When Doors Open... Run! Like Hunger Games where players are pitted against each other inside an arena, where different doors are provided, for them to run toward or away... for survival purposes. Behind opening doors are enemies trying to survive the odds just like them. Only the toughest one will emerge as the victor when he/she reaches the final door to the applauding spectators!
Reading books to kids plays a vital role in their personality development. It goes beyond acquiring language skills and fosters various cognitive, emotional, and social aspects. Firstly, books ignite imagination and creativity, allowing children to explore new worlds and ideas. They develop critical thinking and problem-solving abilities as they encounter characters and situations that challenge their perspectives. Reading also enhances empathy by exposing children to diverse characters and their experiences, promoting understanding and compassion. Additionally, it cultivates patience, concentration, and self-discipline, as kids learn to engage with a story over time. Lastly, shared reading experiences create strong bonds between children and adults, fostering healthy communication and emotional connections. Ultimately, reading books empowers children, shaping their character and preparing them for a rich and fulfilling life.