Gerber Family Foundation believes in early education to build literate, confident adults.
With our new drive for 2023, we are asking for book donations of children’s books from ages 4 to 12, which will be donated to various institutions that concentrate on the reading aspect of a child’s education. Amongst other, Little Libraries and local schools, that don’t have the budget to purchase books needed to teach reading skills to the children.
Should you wish to donate in other forms, e.g containers and or bookshelves, free free to contact little libraries directly, to make arrangements for delivery at required areas.
Reasons Why Reading is So Important
Reading is one of the most important skills that a person can have. It opens up a world of possibilities and allows people to learn about new things. Reading is important for both kids and adults. Here, we will discuss 10 of those reasons. We will also provide some resources for parents who want to read aloud to their children, as well as tips and strategies for teaching children how to read.
When people read, they are exposed to new ideas and different ways of thinking. This helps them to critically evaluate information and make better decisions.
So please keep reading!
1. Imagination
Another reason why reading is so important is that it helps people to develop their imagination. When people read, they are transported to different worlds and allowed to explore new ideas. This can help them to come up with new ideas of their own.
By reading, you are exposed to so many wonderful things. This helps your imagination when it comes to creating and thinking. By reading, you are painting those pictures of the story in your mind. Books can take you anywhere you want to go.
The Read-Aloud Handbook is a great book to have. It is filled with ways to help children become avid readers through awakening their imaginations and improving their language skills. The best part is a huge treasury list of amazing read-aloud books. Love it!
2. Focus and Concentration
When you are reading, you are focusing and concentrating on one thing. By sitting still and reading, you are training your body/mind and your child’s to slow down, relax, and focus on what you are reading. This helps you/your child focus and concentrate on other activities because you are used to doing it.
3. Reading Improves your memory
When you read a book, you are taking in all that the book is about. People, places, things… When you read, you are using your memory muscle which lies in the Cerebrum part of your brain. Using this muscle helps your memory long term. I’m sure you’ve probably heard of muscle memory 😉 Same kind of thing.
Would you like to learn more about keeping your child’s brain healthy? www.KidsHealth.org
“Use your brain by doing challenging activities, such as puzzles, reading, playing music, making art, or anything else that gives your brain a workout!” – Steven Dowshen, MD
4. Reading helps with communication
Reading also helps people to improve their communication skills. People who read frequently can better express themselves, both in writing and verbally. They are also better able to understand what others are saying.
Reading to your children helps build a bond and open up communication. It’s always important to be able to talk with your kids, especially when they get into their teenage years. Start reading to them and communicating when they are young, so they have that connection and comfort with talking to you.
It also helps with communicating as adults and gives you more to talk about.
5. Entertainment
Reading is the best cheap or free entertainment you can get. Love your library and any bookseller because these books can open up the world you might never have imagined.
“I believe we should spend less time worrying about the quantity of books children read and more time introducing them to quality books that will turn them on to the joy of reading and turn them into lifelong readers.” – James Patterson
More Reasons Why Reading is Important
6. Bonding
Nurturing and one-on-one attention from parents during reading encourages children to form a positive association with books and reading. Also, goes with #4 above – Communication. Reading to your children is another way of showing them love. If you would like to find books that kids love, we have an entire section dedicated to favorite books.
Check out Beautiful Feet Books. They are AMAZING! It’s easy to promote a love for learning with Beautiful Feet Books and all of the different book options that they have to offer.
7. Language Development
Babies and children learn to talk by hearing words. The more they hear, the more likely they are to talk and understand what’s being said. Your child’s language skills and literacy depend on you talking and reading to them. Now, doesn’t that sound important?!
8. Cheap or Free Education
Reading a book about something that you want to learn about saves you so much money. We all know how expensive taking classes can be, so why not spend time reading about it instead. You can teach yourself with specific books. The same goes for children. If they are interested in learning about rainbows, they can read books about the weather. Or you can read to them. Supplying a variety of books to your children will pique their interests and get them learning even more.
9. Fluency
Fluency is defined as the ability to read with speed, accuracy, and expression. Powerful and effective language.
The more you read, the more fluent you become. Very important for children and adults.
10. Reading makes you smarter
We know it’s been proven that reading makes you smarter. Readers display greater knowledge of how things work, vocabulary, and language development, as well as information on people, places, and things. Not to mention all of the great info in 1-9 that I just shared with you 🙂 Reading Rocks!!!
