Don't Just Choose, Here's How to Select Children's Storybooks
Reading is a very beneficial activity for children because by reading books, children can learn new things that are important for their growth and development process. Although the development of digital technology has become increasingly massive, this is not always good for children's storybooks. In addition to potentially harming eye health, electronic books or e-books cannot replace the sensation and motor experience of holding and reading physical books. The texture, aroma, and various other creative aspects cannot simply be replaced by technology.
Children are very easily influenced by adults. This inevitably requires friends to be smart in choosing the types of toys and reading books that are appropriate for the child's condition. As a consideration, here are some tips that can be used before buying books for children.
1. Adjust to the child's reading ability
Every child grows in different ways, so never compare your child to others, especially in terms of reading ability. Although there are groups of children considered smart because they can write and read at a certain age, this does not apply to everyone. Understand how far the child's reading ability is so that you can buy books that match their capabilities.
2. Do not choose books that are too thick
Some books, such as encyclopedias, tend to have thick pages, making them unsuitable for children. Since they are still young, it is better to choose books that are not too thick for children to read so as not to make them bored. Books containing 10-15 pages are usually sufficient as reading material for children. Additionally, books that are not too thick are easy to carry anywhere, so if you travel far, you can use books to keep children away from boredom.
3. Choose stories that are easy for children to understand
Avoid choosing storybooks with plots that are difficult for children to understand. Choose stories that are close to children's lives so that they can easily grasp the content. Furthermore, as parents, you should also actively accompany your children while reading books.
By reading together, not only will the relationship with the child become closer, but you can also explain the meaning of the book being read directly to the child so that the information is not easily forgotten. You can also choose books that tell certain legends.
4. Match the book to the child's age
This is very important before buying a storybook for children. Usually, each children's book will include an age recommendation. This is done for a reason. Each age group has different levels of understanding, so books specifically for toddlers are clearly difficult for infants to comprehend.
For example, storybooks for 2-year-olds usually have shorter stories and are sometimes accompanied by various props such as pop-up images, animal sounds, and small dolls that help provide understanding and more detailed information to children. Meanwhile, storybooks for older children usually contain longer and more complex stories.
5. Choose storybooks that convey moral messages
A child's understanding of morals will greatly influence their personality development as they grow up. Through books, parents are expected to provide moral understanding to children so that they can practice being more responsible for their actions.
A good book is one that can convey moral messages to its readers. This also applies to children, who will better understand moral values if taught from an early age. Through stories, children will find it easier to learn how to appreciate others.
6. Have an attractive appearance
For children, books filled with colorful pictures will certainly attract attention. In addition to stimulating brain development, picture-filled books can make it easier for children to understand the content of the story being conveyed. Toddlers usually love this type of reading material, while older children should be given more complex readings than picture books.
In addition to pictures, pop-up books are also often used to attract children's interest. Their cute shapes and surprise elements make children who open them feel entertained. Moreover, the sudden appearance of pop-ups can stimulate children's curiosity, allowing them to focus on what the book is telling.
7. Do not hesitate to buy expensive books
Reading books can sometimes be quite expensive, especially imported books. Unfortunately, many children's books come from abroad, making their prices far from cheap. However, you should not focus on the price of the book but rather on its content.
Do not hesitate to buy expensive books because it is all for the benefit of the child. However, if you have very limited funds, you can choose used books as an alternative reading material and take advantage of various promotions and discounts offered by several local publishers. These local publishers can be a good option for obtaining books at affordable prices.
Hopefully, the tips above can be used before choosing children's storybooks. Children's books can sometimes be priced quite high, so it is advisable not to make the wrong choice in selecting suitable books. For more clarity, you can check information about the book on the internet before purchasing it.
Read also: The Best Children's Movies of All Time
