Read Along Books
5 Great Reasons Why Kids Should be Reading Picture Books
Picture books for children have become a great tradition over the last century. Most people couldn’t imagine a childhood without lots of beautifully illustrated books. However, many people think picture books are not really that important. That they are just a stepping stone on the path to ‘real’ reading. While it is true that children must eventually move on to more sophisticated books, it is a mistake to think that picture books are just preparation for later reading. Here are 5 good reasons why:
Picture books stimulate the imagination
Allowing your child to travel to faraway places and to meet new characters and experience new things is a very important part of their mental development. A child who only knows the humdrum world of their own house has a real limitation when it comes to new situations. Developing imagination can be one of the most important things a child will ever do. It shapes their entire outlook on life and affects the decisions they will make in later years. Picture books are perfect for introducing your child to the world of creative thinking and fun that comes from having lots of imagination.
Picture books educate
It is no coincidence that picture books often deal with real life situations. Children are inexperienced in situations outside of their school and home. Picture books that let them know what to expect in strange and sometimes frightening places can be a real boost to their confidence and ability to deal with new experiences. Stories about visits to the doctor, first days at school, airports etc are great for this. It is also interesting to note that fantastic characters and settings can be just as useful in this role. A great example would be Dr Seuss’ ‘The Lorax’ a fantasy story that has been entertaining children and teaching them about environmental misuse for many years.
Reading picture books develops literacy
This just shows that the belief that picture books prepare kids for later reading is not unfounded. One of the main purposes of picture books is to provide a simple format for young readers to practice reading skills. The pictures entice and entertain while the simple and often repetitive text provide much needed reading practice.
Reading picture books develops visual literacy
We live in a world that is composed of pictures and images much more than words. Training children to understand and ‘read ‘ imagery is one of the most important things we can do. Images can be used to manipulate and distort facts, to demean others and to destroy self esteem. Guiding children in how to read and understand visual imagery is extremely important and this process should begin in childhood. Picture books lay the foundation for this all important developmental skill.
Picture books develop a love of reading
Reading can be one of the most important things your child will ever learn and one of the best ways to insure their future success. Kids who read are far more likely to stay in school and to earn significantly higher wages in their lifetime. They experience boredom less and have a far wider experience to draw on when dealing with problems. Nothing develops a love of reading more surely than a picture book habit in childhood.
For these reasons and for many others it is important that your child be reading picture books every day. These days there are many options: traditional print books as well as online storybooks and books for mobile devices. Whatever type of storybooks you choose for your child ( a mixture is best of course) you’ll know that you are giving them the best headstart that you can. Simply by letting your child do something they enjoy. Reading picture books.
About the Author
Smartbook Smartkid is a company dedicated to helping parents improve the creativity, confidence and communication skills of their kids. Online Storybooks at smartbooksmartkid.com
RIF Eric Carle Holiday Read Along 2007
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NEW Disney Princess Carry Sing & Read Along SnowWhite Book & CD A Lovely Evening $9.99 |
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The Wild Swans Hans Christian Andersen Troll Read Along Book & Tape Set $10.00 |
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At the Farm Read & Sing Along Board Book With CD (Rea.. $0.99 |
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DISNEY’S HERCULES READ ALONG BOOK & AUDIO TAPE 1997 $2.99 |
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The Word of Promise Gift of Psalms NKJV – 3CDs + Book Listen & Read Along $19.58 |
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Vintage 1983 Care Bear A World Made of Love Paperback Read-A-Long Book $2.99 |
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Lot 4 NEW Sesame Street Elmo Read-Along Baby Board Books (Set) – NO RESERVE $0.06 |
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Thomas the Tank Engine Thomas’ Read-A-Long Story Book and CD $0.99 |
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1979-Alice In Wonderland-Walt Disney Read-Along- Book & TapeCassette NEW in PKG. $19.99 |
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Disney’s 101 Dalmatians [VHS] $2.99 It’s hard to know who thought it would be a good idea to make a live-action version of Disney’s animated classic. The one bright notion anyone had was casting Glenn Close as Disney über-villainess Cruella de Vil; her flashing eyes and angular features are a perfect match and do credit to what is one of the most indelible animated characters Disney has ever created. The story remains essentially t… |
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P.D. Eastman Are You My Mother? (plus Go, Dog. Go! and The Best Nest) $5.75 P.D. Eastman’s funny, touching story about a baby bird hatched while its mother is absent makes wonderful material for this animated adaptation. Looking for its mom, the feathered newborn approaches–among other things–a dog and a cow hoping to make that vital imprint. Following that contemporary classic are two more highly enjoyable tales, including The Best Nest and Go, Dog. Go! The latter is a… |
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The Rudolph, Frosty & Friends Sing Along $0.01 Sing along video featuring songs from the animated Christmas classics Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, and Santa Claus is Coming to Town… |
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Boys Time to Read Rocker $139.95 A mystical motif of royal purple and midnight blue with enchanting gold accents creates a magical place for your little readers imagination to come to life. It features a charming poem on seat back: Once upon a Time I took a look And found my world was full of books Now I love to sit and read each chapter Rocking and Reading HAPPILY EVER AFTER. A sturdy attached wooden rack will keep books up and off of the floor and in reach. A working clock on the seat back will help keep track of your childs reading time. (Uses 1 AA battery – not included). It includes special understamp beneath the seat that can be personalized with the childs name, the name of the gift-giver and the special occasion the chair was received. Recommended for ages 3-8 (up to 100 lbs). Total chair height is 28, seat height 12/5. |
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Time To Read Revolving Bookcase $159.95 This bookcase in subtle pastel colors is the perfect unit for holding all of her favorite stories and books. Revolves for easy access. Features two handy shelves to hold little ones favorite books (12 height and 10 height) and photo frame bookends-each holds two 4 x 6 photos. |
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Time To Read Rocker $139.95 This beautifully handcrafted and hand-decorated wooden heirloom-to-be is sure to delight your favorite little rocker. Creative and playful, each chair is more than a rocker… it is sure to become a buddy, a best friend and a treasured part of a special little ones memories. Features include a special message: Time to Read. comfy, removable padded seat cushion, charming poem on seat back: Once upon a Time I took a look and found my world was full of books. Now I love to sit and read each chapter rocking and reading happily ever after. Also features a sturdy attached wooden rack to keep books up and off of the floor (Interior dimensions: 11 1/4 L x 3 1/3 W x 9 1/2 H). Each chair includes a card which the child can customize with their picture to make their thank you extra special. To clean, dust lightly with a soft cloth and avoid contact with anything abrasive that can scratch the hand-painted finish. Recommended for children over the age of three, weighing up to 100 pounds. A Philips head manual screwdriver is recommended for use during assembly. |
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0545067715 – Phonics Tales Read-Aloud Storybooks, 25 Books, Grades K-2 $65.07 [SHS0545067715] UNSPC: 55101524 5.33 LB |
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9836 – Listen-Read-Think Science Set, Nine Books, Grades 2-8 $53.91 [TCR9836] UPC: 088231998365 UNSPC: 60101704 2.57 LB |
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Levels of Discovery LOD20034 Time to Read Revolving Bookcase $159.95 The Levels of Discovery Time to Read Revolving Bookcase features a mystical motif and a royal purple and midnight blue design with enchanting gold accents The bookcase revolves for easy access and two handy shelves hold the little one s favorite books |
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Boys Time to Read Revolving Bookcase $159.95 This mystical castle will keep watch over your favorite books. Bookcase features a mystical motif with royal purple and midnight blue with enchanting gold accents. This fun bookcase revolves for easy access and two handy shelves (12 x 10) hold your little ones favorite books. The photo frame bookends hold 4 x 6 photos. |
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theBalm Read My Lips Lipstick – Gossip $17 theBalm Read My Lips Lipstick, reinvented Out with the old, in with the news (so to speak). These new “editions” are not your mama’s lipstick. Say bye bye to that bad lipstick taste and hello to these delicious vanilla mint tubes of heaven. theBalm Read My Lips Lipstick has a creamy, moisturizing formula has vitamins A and E along with olive and jojoba oil leaving you with a soft and sexy pucker! Colors available in Gossip (shimmering pink) Smut (shimmering plum) Letter to the Editor (bronze berry) Scoop (coral rose) Wanted (strawberry red) Classified (nude) |