Why Reading Fiction Is Important For Your Child?

Do you remember curling up in your nook with a Ruskin Bond or Enid Blyton? Did R.K. Narayan's Swami delight you with his sheer innocence and wit? All those adventures that the Famous Five had, and of course, the oh-so-delicious sounding tea-time treats, were a window to a whole new world.

If there was a time when your library card was your most precious possession, it's time to pass on the gift to your child. Reading isn't just a "hobby", it is an absolute essential. The joy of discovering books, and in them, different worlds and stories, is one of the best gifts you can give your child. If you've dismissed fiction as being "just stories" or "escape into fantasy", read on to find out why fiction is necessary for your child.

Why Does My Child Need To Read Fiction?

While your child will benefit from any type of reading, fiction or non-fiction, it's hard to dispute that fiction has its own charm. If someone told you that reading fiction is just like watching an entertaining movie, and that your child will not learn anything about real life, read on to find out why that is not true-

1. Imagination and creativity: A story opens up new worlds, introduces new events, concepts that your child may not be familiar with. And, of course, there is fantasy and make-believe, all of which serves to expand your child's creativity. She can visualize what she reads or what is being read to her, and soon will start imagining himself as a little heroine. A healthy imagination goes a long way in your child's mental and emotional development
2. Exposure to different cultures and places: With a book, your child can travel the world without leaving his room. When a story is set in a picturesque English village, or is about Greek culture, your child is exposed to lives of people in various parts of the world.
3. Vocabulary: A voracious reader undoubtedly has a good vocabulary. Your child's language skills grow tremendously as he reads more and more. Writers are usually avid readers, and you might even find that you have a budding author in the making. Your child's communication skills, too, take a huge positive turn as she reads
4. Develops empathy and aids emotional development: Fiction gives your child glimpses into the lives of different people, in different circumstances. As they deal with various experiences, and handle emotions such as anger, joy, grief, and disappointment, your child journeys with them. This, in turn, can equip your child to handle his own emotions and empathize with another person. Stories also serve as tools to explain painful truths like bereavement, trauma and sickness
5. Bonding time: As children start growing, they like to spend less and less time with their parents. Plus, with the start of school and other activities, you do not spend as much time with them as you used to when they were tiny toddlers. Hence reading fiction to your young one, especially during bedtime, is a perfect way for you and your child
6. Less screen time: In this world of gadgets, parents are constantly worried about the amount of time their children are spending on the screen. Introduce your child to the wonderful world of books, and you will see a change. Once she gets a taste of reading, she will make it a routine. It will certainly result in less use of mobiles, tablets, computers and television
7. To unwind: What's a better way to take your child's mind off a hectic day at school and all the worries that come with it, than to settle down with a familiar story? The characters she adores, and their adventures will soothe her mind and provide a refreshing change from the routine

Remember, reading not only widens your child's horizons, but books make great friends, too. There is no place for boredom in a reader's life. The next time you're wondering what to buy your child for her birthday, why not gift her a whole new world in the form of a book?

Did you develop the habit of reading in your child? How did you do it? Let us know in the comments below!