Trust me, it works. My mother would take my little brother and me to the library every summer. My brother had to stay in the kid section, but I was allowed to peruse the library freely (since I was older). He grew a strong disdain for the library because of this. When my mother finally permitted him to explore the library as he pleased, he was ecstatic! He had access to a broader range of topics which expanded his interest because he was reading “inappropriate books” (meaning they were found outside of the kid’s section). This turned him into an avid reader and helped develop his love of oceanography. Fifteen years later, he is now working in a marine biology lab, acquiring his diver’s license, and reading all sorts of books.
The Benefits of Children Reading Adult Non-Fiction Books
💡 If you only expose your child to children’s books, you can prevent them from developing curiosity. Many (not all) children’s books are straight to the point and leave less room for inquiry.
💡 Exploring adult non-fiction books with your child allows them to look at detailed photographs that make historical and scientific ideas come to life.
💡 It also prepares them to grapple with higher-level texts. When they read non-fiction texts in the classroom, they don’t “check out” because there aren’t any pictures.
So next time you’re browsing your local (or digital) library with your child, give them the freedom to explore. You will develop their reading skills, build their cognitive thinking skills, and allow them to become more curious thinkers. ☺️
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5 thoughts on “Stop Looking For Kid Books in the Kid’s Section”
As the mother of the blogger, I confirm this works. But what she doesn’t know is I was using reverse psychology on him, making him want what he could not have .😊 And, she’s correct it works! Both of my children (now adults) are avid readers, so give it a try .
The professor speaks! All of your tactics worked, we have the degrees to prove it. 😉
I think the ideas you present here are solid and make a lot of sense, but I also wonder if they are met with pushback. We are in a time where non-fiction books that are meant to teach us all about history and pressing issues are being banned. At least some parents support this. Is this an idea you share with the parents of the children you work with?
Yes! These are controversial topics. Book banning is another tool policymakers are using to embed systematic racism deeper into our education system. Parents who come to us are often seeking refuge from policies like book banning, which continue to suffocate to voices and experiences of their children.