Books open children’s minds to a magical world of imagination.

Sometimes it may be a challenge to settle down for a good read, or it may take forever to find the perfect book; yet there are times you find that your little one carries one book everywhere, read it countless times during the day and snuggle with it at night. Whether it’s a challenge or a joy, you will find that books are worth the time and they have lasting effect on your child.

Here are few reasons to inspire your search for more books your child will cherish probably their entire childhood:

Picture Books Spark Imagination and Creativity

Children are strong believers of what they find in books. Younger children will fuse fact and fiction and create a huge world of make-believe spanning their imagination, giving birth to creativity. Explore and imagine with your child to figure out what themes or topics sparkle their imagination, then use these books to bring their creativity to life.

Picture Books Promote Prosocial Skills

Some of life’s concepts can be difficult for young children to grasp but they will easily relate to similar situations coming from a book. For example, with the concept of empathy, a young child will not fully understand ‘putting yourself in someone’s shoes’  but reading a book about helping, giving up a toy to make another person feel better can show them what empathy is in practice.

Picture Books Support Conflict Resolution

Books help children problem-solve as they brainstorm possible solutions to conflict in a story.. They can easily relate to the steps for solving problems from a story and apply them to play and life. Some ways to introduce problem-solving is by stopping in the middle of a new book and asking your child “what do you think will happen next and why?

Picture Books Build Interests & Appreciation

Nothing beats interests. Finding something a child loves is like finding treasure. Every time their face lights up from seeing the one thing they love is one of my favorite reasons for supporting young children with books. Children learn by interest, finding and feeding that interest can be the beginning of a life-long learning and exploring journey.

Picture Books Promote Parent-Child Bonding

Reading creates a bond between parent and child. Young children may not remember every part of the stories they read with their parents, but they will remember the laughter, the cuddles, hugs and moments shared. Every time you share a book, consider a cozy spot where your child can feel comfortable and cozy to relax closer to you, and enjoy the moments with you.

Picture Books Develop Positive Mindset

Books help young children see possibilities. As they read books about challenges, problems, and solutions, they grow with the confidence that problems have solutions. They can learn to approach challenges and obstacles with the perception that every problem has a solution. Mistakes are learning opportunities, and they can give each task their very best effort. Through the books you read at home, your child can learn to believe that there is always a way to keep going.

Picture Books Develop Early Literacy Skills

Books have the potential to teach children new words, build vocabulary, and foster learning new concepts. It is important to remember that picture books should be enjoyed by your child. The goal should not be to keep teaching but to build your child’s love and interest in books. Reading everyday builds your child’s vocabulary, strengthens the bond between you and your child.

The perfect book will create all the above and more for your little one. No matter the struggle, every child has his/her perfect book out there. Keep looking, your child’s future deserve it.

You may also read 5 Tips To Build A Culture of Reading