Skylanders, Pokemon, Wii U, Furby, Angry Birds, Barbies, American Girl Dolls, Littlest Pet Shops, Playmobil's, Lego's, Zombie toys. This is what you'll likely be looking for this Christmas shopping season.
What about a book? It may not be on your list, but I'd like you to think about adding it, maybe even two or three. I don't know if it is normal or not, but when I go into a bookstore, whether alone or with my kids, I get excited. Call me old school, but I like perusing shelves and discovering books I didn't think to even think about! A book is like an adventure - full of possibilities.
What about a book? It may not be on your list, but I'd like you to think about adding it, maybe even two or three. I don't know if it is normal or not, but when I go into a bookstore, whether alone or with my kids, I get excited. Call me old school, but I like perusing shelves and discovering books I didn't think to even think about! A book is like an adventure - full of possibilities.
And that's the thing about giving a book for Christmas. The possibilities!
What kind of possibilities you ask? What does a book mean to adults, kids, children, to babies? I'll start at the beginning.
Reading Aloud
Studies have shown that reading to babies and toddlers increases vocabulary, enhances language development, promotes literacy, and increases success in primary school.1 Beyond the basics it also helps build self-esteem, awareness of general world knowledge, coping strategies, motivation, curiosity, and memory.2
Children's books contain 50% more rare words than prime-time television and surprisingly even college students' conversations.3Reading aloud to children is an important part of early childhood development.
I remember reading to all three of my children. I wasn't thinking about increasing their vocabulary or about their future success in school. I was enjoying their little bodies on my lap and engaging them in the sound of my voice, whether in a sing-song melody of a rhyme or the high and low pitch sounds of excitement anticipating what would happen next. 'Moo Baa La La La' by Sandra Boynton was and still is one of my favorites. Reading aloud was a great way to bond.
I did notice that my oldest seemed to say a lot at a young age so I took notes and discovered she could say 70 distinct words by the time she was 15 months old. I'm sure our story time helped with that.
What else do we know about books?
Books at Home
The number of books at home increases the level of education a child will attain. This factor influences education level more than where they live in the world, their parents profession, or their parents educational level. A 20 year study on education showed that the number of books at home meant an additional 2.4 (U.S.A.) to 6.6 (China) years of education attained.4
While all of that is impressive, the benefits of a book are not just about statistics, higher education, and better paying jobs. They are all important and quantifiable, but I find the intangible aspects of books more interesting.
Books open the door to a world of possibilities. They contain new ideas, cultures, and worlds. Books encourage conversations, stimulate creativity, and present opportunities. You meet new people, discover feelings, empathize.
I think the most exciting thing of all about a book is that when someone reads a book they come away with at least one idea or thought that they didn't have before - and although it may go nowhere, that thought, that idea, well it could go anywhere! It could cause anything to happen. It could change your life.
To answer my earlier question, 'what does a book mean to adults, kids, children, babies', it means a lot! Books mean language development, literacy, educational success, self-esteem, bonding between adult and child, better paying jobs, empathy, increased curiosity, adventure and so much more.
When you give a book you give all of these things. That's why a book is the perfect gift for Christmas. Whether you are buying a gift for a baby, a tween, or even an adult, your gift will be full of possibilities.
Here are some local Chicago book stores to visit:
Open Books
The Book Cellar
Women and Children First
After-Words Bookstore
Sandmeyer's Bookstore
Bookmans's Corner
Book Works
Gallery Bookstore
Myopic Books
Please let me know what books you recommend - leave a comment.
1 http://www.reachoutandread.org/FileRepository/ReadingAloudtoChildren_ADC_July2008.pdf
2 Bardige, B. Talk to Me, Baby!(2009)
3 See 1
4 http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-05/uonr-bih052010.php
Alexandra Gnoske is a nature lover, writer, and environmental expert.
