Books, Books, And More Boooks!

Here is a loud and proud shout out to all the bookworms (or as they are now sometimes called “book dragons”) out there! 

A love of books is foundational for nearly all education. Obviously for literature studies, but books also play a vital role in learning history, science, geography… even Math! The simple act of reading is educationally beneficial as well - according to one study “Reading will increase your knowledge and vocabulary (which increases your crystallized intelligence), and it’ll help you detect patterns and solve problems (which increases your fluid intelligence). Reading also helps you understand and manage emotions (which increases your emotional intelligence).* According to another study, there is a direct correlation between the number of books you own (just own, not even read) and your educational outcome - “Growing up around books promotes a foundation of “scholarly culture,” .** 

All kinds of books hold educational value. We all can understand why a textbook or biography can teach us something but would it surprise you to learn that even fairy tales are hugely beneficial to a developing mind? Reading stories that engage the imagination exercises our minds in a variety of ways. While researching this topic I came across this information (unsurprisingly, at a library): “Fairy tales spark imagination and offer moral lessons. Children learn from the mistakes of characters in these stories, which helps them with their critical thinking skills. Fairy tales also model behavior for children and provide a context in which children can evaluate their own emotions and decision making. Fairy tales aid in emotional resilience by helping children connect stories to real life. Fairy tales show that people face adversity, but, if they believe in themselves, they can overcome obstacles. Stories can help children confront real-life fears and anxieties in a fantastical setting. They expose children to different cultures, as they are often set in different parts of the world. Choosing fairy tales from around the world helps children appreciate the customs and value systems of others. Fairy tales improve vocabulary, demonstrate the structure of stories, and, most importantly, create a love of reading.”***

I went, recently, to volunteer at an educational book fair and, while there, I picked up a book that looked interesting. There was a teenage girl in uniform, with a forties hairstyle, facing a large machine with many gears and wheels on it - it was called “The Enigma Girls”. I picked it up and started leafing through it. Before I knew what I was about, I had read 8 chapters! I guess sometimes you can tell a book by it’s cover!

It was a fantastic story about the young women who helped to break the Nazi codes during WWII. It was a non-fiction book but written almost like a novel. I bought the book and brought it home. I couldn’t put it down! I finished it by the next day and handed it off to my kids to read. I learned so much from reading it and shared that knowledge with my children - we were all educated through the power of a well written book!

Reading of all kinds can be very good for intellectual growth - true stories, fairy tales, comic books, even Letters! Whether you are subscribing to an education letter like The Adventure Letters, or just have a pen-pal that keeps you in the know about their life, this simple form of exchanging information is invaluable in the growth and development of a young (and old!) mind that is hungry for knowledge.

*https://irisreading.com/does-reading-increase-iq/#:~:text=Reading%20will%20increase%20your%20knowledge,which%20increases%20your%20fluid%20intelligence).

**https://nypost.com/2018/10/13/having-more-books-as-a-kid-makes-you-smarter-study/

***https://fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branch-out/importance-fairy-tales-preschool-development#:~:text=Fairy%20Tales%20Do%20More&text=Children%20learn%20from%20the%20mistakes,own%20emotions%20and%20decision%20making.