A Book is a medium of recording, storing and retrieving information and has been around for centuries since it began evolving from scrolls. An ebook on the other hand is a development that came with the building of computers. These days, ebooks are stored in smartphones, tablets and laptops. There have been a lot of arguments whether electronic devices should be used to read to children or the old fashioned printed copy. While we cannot entirely rule out either means, we will examine the pros for both printed books and ebooks along the way.
Books are a great way to spark your little one's curiosity and creativity as well as broaden their young minds. It awakens their imagination and informs them of a world greater than the one they know - the world of books. It is even better when introduced to them at the toddler stage, way before they begin formal education. That way, they would have developed an interest in books and would love to learn. Books with rhyme, rhythm and repetition are a favourite at this stage and they help kids develop their literacy skills and they are fun to read.
Why read to children?
Reading to your kids especially the preschool age is a fun way of igniting their interest in books especially the ones appropriate for their age with sounds and large prints with lots of colour. It also creates a bond between you and your child which brings your child closer to you. Your child also extends this love to books and learning which encourages positive growth and development and improves their concentration as they listen with rapt attention to process what you are reading to them. Reading to your children also develops a child's capacity to communicate, teaches them about the world around them, develops their listening, pronunciation and memory skills. It helps them communicate their feelings better therefore developing their emotional capacity as they learn to express themselves. You are also helping them create a great habit while spending quality time together. Reading helps kids develop a creative side to their imagination as they begin to look at things around them in a different light and connect with nature too. Books have the power to leave an indelible mark in a child and give them a sense of morals and family values.
Pros of Printed Books
- Kids develop a sense of ownership with books and they can play with it, flip through,find them easily and learn to stack them.
- The parent makes reading fun by making funny sounds, gestures and faces that interest kids.
- Kids love to feel like they are a part of the story and books allow them interact well.
- You can build a library that the children can always go back to
- Books give a solid understanding.
- Parents and children interact more in the process.
Cons of Printed Books
- Wear and tear can set it.
- Children can easily tear them or throw them at each other.
- It can be bulky to carry many books at a time
- Some of the books may not be found in every area.
Pros of E-books
- You can take it anywhere with you.
- It cannot make the device heavy no matter the number of ebooks on it.
- You can download as many as you want without worrying about where to stack them.
- Your kids cannot tear them or throw them at each other.
- Many children's books that cannot be found in some areas are easily accessible, anywhere internet is available.
Cons of E-books
- Too much screen time and visual stimulation can be harmful to a child.
- Battery could be empty at any time.
- Excessive exposure to screen light can be harmful to the eyes.
- Does not give the feel of opening pages or thumbing through the pages.
- Children get distracted by tapping the screen or swiping it.
A lot of research favour the use of printed books instead of ebooks when it comes to kids. Perhaps as parents, we should let them grow the use of advanced technology and explore more the use of objects they can touch.
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