Is reading a sort of worldwide culture? If you think about the number of book clubs and reading groups that exist, you may start to wonder if there is not some sort of cultural development that is protecting the value of reading.

While there are a great many book distribution sites that allow readers to have an endless availability of books, visual media somewhat threatens the culture of reading. There are quite a few celebrities that have stepped up – Oprah leading the pack – to encourage the world to not forget about the value of reading.

We must teach our children to appreciate literature of all genres. One of the greatest experiences since the development of film was the comparison of the movie to the book. You can create family activities involving reading out loud a book that has been turned into a movie. At the end of the book you’ve read as a family, you can then watch the film version.

The more your children practice paying attention to the facts of the book and comparing it to details in the movie, the more experience they will have making logical comparisons for the rest of their lives! Books are more than an outlet for fantasy or a reference for educational information. Books are a way to teach both children and adults how to reason, how to develop a picture or fantasy in their mind, and how to stay connected to other members of the human race, seeing through another set of eyes.

Turning reading into a fun activity that stimulates thought and conversation will prepare your children for more of life’s challenges than could possibly be mentioned in a single article. Encouraging them to read is a major step in the right direction so that they develop their intellect and imagination.