Reading is Super! Educational Books and Their Role in Child Development

We constantly hear that reading has many advantages. Books are better than computers, they teach creative thinking and are food for a child's imagination. But the list of their benefits doesn't end there. What else does reading give us?

• It's great fun, and children get to learn about the world around them,
• it develops a sense of humour,
• it improves memory and concentration,
• it prevents addiction to computers, television, and the internet,
• it cultivates the habit of continuous learning,
• it develops speech and vocabulary,
• it teaches proper behaviour patterns.

Learning through play – reading together is educational entertainment

Reading together also gives us something incredibly precious – it builds a bond between parent and child. Time spent together allows for the satisfaction of their emotional needs. By being close, by giving your child your attention, you send a clear signal that they are important to you. Thanks to this feeling, the child has the chance to build self-confidence and self-belief, learn empathy, and acquire social skills.

We already know the benefits of reading together. So, let's find out what criteria a children's book should meet. Choosing the right literature for the youngest, contrary to appearances, is not that easy. Among hundreds of bookstore offerings, we need to find true gems that will meet our requirements. What should we avoid and what should we pay attention to?

• The book should be well-produced

The appearance of the book, as well as the material it's made from, is particularly important when we choose reading material for the youngest. Toddlers love to hold them in their hands and turn the pages themselves. So, let's make sure that both the cover and the pages are thick enough. This will ensure a longer life for the book and safety for our little one. We'll avoid injuries from sharp paper edges.

• Match the reading material to the child's age

Even the most captivating fairy tales certainly won't interest an infant. For such little ones, choose books that have short content and lots of pictures. Large, clear illustrations and contrasting colours will be best – these will certainly catch their eye. When buying, we can peek inside to assess the text ourselves or look for reviews of the book online.

• Choose valuable books

Children learn very quickly and absorb everything we teach them. A toddler who can't speak yet understands a surprisingly large amount. That's why what we read to them matters enormously. So, reach for books that convey timeless values – teaching empathy, kindness, and openness to others. The publisher Dwie Siostry has just such books on offer.

• Consider the child's interests

Tailor the reading material to the child's age, needs, and interests

A little one will reach for a book more willingly if it aligns with their interests. Although favourite characters (fairies, superheroes) only appear in a child's life around the age of 3, even a one-year-old tot will smile at the sight of a dog, horse, or car. We'll certainly notice what they most like to pay attention to and what interests them most.

Reading for toddlers, preschoolers, and older children

A good book is one that is adapted to the child's age. The proper selection of reading material is extremely important, as it awakens curiosity in the child and makes reading a source of joy and a favourite pastime. What do we recommend?

Books for the youngest

Although a 12-month-old baby has no concept of letters yet, books will certainly intrigue them. However, let's remember that large and colourful pictures will be more important than the content, as will the ability to stroke, throw, and even... gnaw on the book. Those with thick cardboard pages will work best.

Thanks to the book At home, in the wild, on the street, the youngest have the chance to get to know the world around them. In it, we find illustrations depicting everyday objects and simple activities. Let's read it together with the child and learn their names together.

Books for learning to read

Preschoolers are already ready for short, rhyming stories that they can read together with their parents. It's good if their themes are close to the child – they might concern daily activities, relationships, and social behaviours. The book Oddities by Cristina Sitja Rubio and Cristóbal León is a picture book for the youngest, telling what happens to animals when people cut down the forest. Along with the trees, animals lose food and shelter. This book will be an excellent lesson in empathy for the youngest.

Books for older children

For little ones who are already reading independently, books can be a gateway to a world of adventure and imagination. Let's choose reading material that matches their interests, and they will certainly read them with bated breath. Five-year-olds usually already have their hobbies; they create things, collect things. So, let's reach for books that will allow them to pursue their passions. Here's something for little cooking enthusiasts – The Great Cherry Tree Street Cook-off.

To encourage parents to spend time reading with a book, campaigns promoting literacy are increasingly being run, such as the nationwide campaign "Read to children, because it's worth it". As part of the campaign, dozens of animators set off on a journey across the country. Dressed in fairy-tale costumes, they organised animated events for children in shopping centres. Parents, in turn, could gain knowledge about the benefits of reading. There were also games and attractive competitions. Information activities were also carried out in nurseries and kindergartens. Educational materials were also prepared for facility teachers.