Why Your Child Should Have A Diverse Reading Palette

 

Books are windows to the world. Through them, children can explore and relate to the experiences of different people they may never have met and gain insight into the world around them.

A child’s reading palette consists of the different genres, literary styles and themes that they are exposed to. Additionally, the diversity of authors that one reads can greatly enhance a child’s cultural exposure and knowledge of the world.

Oftentimes, young writers and readers are advised to ‘read widely’. But what exactly does that mean? Are there any specific forms or types of literature that one should spend more or less time on? What are the benefits of diversifying your child’s reading palette? In this blogpost, we answer all of these questions and more.

Why Read Different Genres?

The term “genre” refers to categories and subcategories of literature that are organised together based on their similarities. The four main categories that we will discuss in this blog post are: 1) Fiction, 2) Non-Fiction, 3) Drama and 4) Poetry.

1. Fiction

 

Fictional stories are a form of prose that is not real, though some sub-categories (such as historical fiction and science fiction) can be based upon real people or events. It can be found in varying and diverse mediums (picture books, short stories, novels), catered to the literacy capabilities of different ages. A key feature of fictional writing is its use of narrative and characterisation.

Fiction is the most common form of writing that children are exposed to. It often forms the foundations of most children’s literacy; indirectly introducing to children more advanced vocabulary and sentence structures.

Some parents may have some disdain for fiction as being a “waste of time”, especially in comparison to heavier, non-fiction texts. However, perhaps the best endorsement of reading fiction is that it inspires children to explore new worlds, ideas and perspectives. This helps to foster a love of imagination in children and may even inspire them to create their own stories and worlds.

Examples of fictional stories include: “The Berenstain Bears” by Stan and Jan Berenstain, “Coraline” by Neil Gaiman and “The Fantastic Mr. Fox” by Roald Dahl.

2. Non-Fiction

 

Non-Fiction, as the name suggests, focuses on facts and what is real. Whilst non-fictional texts adopt less figurative language than either fictional texts or poetry, some sub-categories (such as autobiographies) may be significantly more liberal in its usage. Non-fictional sub-categories are primarily delineated based on their subject, with systems such as the Dewey Decimal System helping to categorise and organise large repositories of non-fictional books in libraries and archives. A key feature of non-fictional writing is its informative style of writing.

Reading non-fiction can be an excellent introduction to children into practical skills such as research and information synthesis. Reading first-hand how other authors present their findings and come up with their own conclusions can hone their critical thinking skills and inspire them to pick up new areas of interests.

Parents sometime find it difficult to get their children into the habit of reading non-fiction. Afterall, most children would never dream of picking up a history tome for some light reading. In cases like these, perhaps the best way of nudging your child towards reading non-fiction may be finding a book on a subject in which they may already have some interest in.

For example, if your child likes to play with his neighbour’s dog, then maybe buy him a book on different dog breeds. From there, you can diversify: introduce them to an autobiography such as “Marley and Me” by John Grogan or “Dogs Who Changed the World” by Dan Jones. You’ll certainly soon find your child trundling down the rabbit hole in search of ever more information. Hopefully, you will also have inspired a new passion for their subject of choice.

Examples of non-fictional texts include: autobiographies such as “The Diary of Anne Frank” by Anne Frank, encyclopaedias such as the Childcraft Series, and edutainment magazines like the “National Geographic” and “Young Scientist”.

3. Drama

 

Drama is a form of writing that focuses on performativity. Dramas are the written form of plays that are meant to be performed in front of audiences. A key feature of drama is its use of dialogue.

Most children are not exposed to written dramas until way into their early teens, often in more advanced English or literature classes. There is a reason for this, it usually takes a certain level of maturity and mastery of English in order to critically read what is so often represented visually. For this reason, drama is often the most neglected genre by children and adults alike.

However, reading plays can greatly enhance students’ artistic and creative potential by introducing them to how playwrights use the power of dialogue to explore identities, societies, cultures and ideologies. If reading non-fiction hones a child’s critical thinking when it comes to real issues, reading drama does the same with regards to the humanities.

Many of the plays that children are exposed to in schools are often usually recognised as having some importance historically and culturally. Shakespeare’s plays, for example, though bemoaned for generations for their archaic language, can show children how literary themes and concepts have transcended geographical boundaries and even the expanse of time.

Reading and performing plays can also allow children to explore their emotions and further develop their emotional intelligence. They can learn to express their feelings in a healthy and constructive way, and to understand and appreciate the emotions of others.

Examples of drama texts include “Romeo & Juliet” by William Shakespeare and “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” by Edward Albee.

4. Poetry

 

Poetry is perhaps the most diverse form of writing of these 4 main categories. Most poems are structured in stanzas and/or meter, but some do not. A key feature of poetry is its strong use of figurative language.

Because poetry is such a wide and varied genre, children are quick to say that they do not like poetry. This is in spite of the fact that poems are often the first genre that children hear aloud. Not only that, but children usually learn the basics of speech through the reciting of poems! Poetry is writing in its purest, most creative form and it teaches children to be explorative with language, to try and use words in ways they never had before.

Examples of poems include “The Jabberwocky” by Lewis Carroll, “Homework!” by Jack Prelutsky and “Halloween Is Nearly Here” by Kenn Nesbitt.

What About the Sub-Categories for Each Genre?

When encouraging your child to explore different genres, you should also encourage them to explore the different sub-categories within a genre as well. If your child loves fantasy novels, maybe suggest that they pick up a horror story or whodunit instead.

The same applies to all the other genres as well. Exploring different sub-categories will expose your child to the different writing styles and conventions used to convey different messages and themes.

Why Expose Your Child to Authors of Varied Backgrounds?

 

Reading literature written by authors from different cultures and backgrounds can help expose them to the wonderful and diverse world that they live in. This can mean reading works by people who live in different countries, are of different ethnicities, and those who are differently abled.

For children who are themselves of a non-normative background, reading about the experiences of people like them can also provide them with a sense of representation and belonging. By seeing themselves reflected in the literature they read, they may get the chance to relate with and process their experiences, a process crucial for their self-esteem and identity development.

Reading literature written by authors from different cultures and perspectives can help to challenge any biases and stereotypes that children may hold. It will help them to understand that people from different backgrounds have different experiences and that there is no one “right” way of viewing the world. Finally, it will promote an appreciation of the differences in others, preparing them for the diverse world they will encounter as they grow up.

Final Thoughts

Reading widely opens up children’s imagination, teaching them to think outside the box and to come up with new and unique ideas. This can help them to become more innovative and imaginative individuals, who are better equipped to navigate the world.

As your child conquers books that they may never have even considered reading prior, they will gain confidence in their reading abilities and prove to themselves that there is so much more to be explored. They will then be more likely to take on challenging texts and push themselves to further improve their reading skills. Ultimately, there is no form of literature that one should focus on more than another, but you should encourage your child to explore as many forms as they are comfortable with to reap the benefits of each mode’s unique way of writing.

Ultimately, reading helps to foster a lifelong love for learning. When children are encouraged to think creatively and to explore new worlds through literature, they are more likely to develop a love of learning that will last throughout their lives.

At Wonderlit, we believe that opening up a child to a diverse range of texts is key to inspiring a burgeoning love for the English language. Students in all programmes are exposed to stimulating texts; designed to hone reading, writing, speaking, and critical analysis skills.

From dramatized renditions of nursery rhymes in our Perform (Speech & Drama) programme, to comprehension exercises based on non-fiction texts in our Read (Literacy) programme, we surround our students with a world of words. Our Write (Creative Writing) programme is distinct in Singapore for implementation of genre-focused writing to inspire creativity and introduce fundamental story and other forms of writing techniques. Even children in our Speak (Public Speaking) programme use a combination of poems and short passages as a medium to practise and hone their reading aloud skills. In these ways, we widen our students’ reading palate and equip them with the skills to become confident and compelling storytellers for life.

Drop us an enquiry to find out more about curate programmes or speak to our programme consultants at 6980-5670 (call/WhatsApp).

Recent Posts