Print vs. E-Books: Which Are Better For Your Kids?

emily_levy — Tue, 14 Feb 2017 20:06:36 +0000

Originally published on the New York Family website

The pros and cons of print books vs. electronic books.

In our increasingly tech-oriented world, just about everything seems to be moving towards an electronic version. We have email, e-payments, e-cards, e-shopping, e-news, e-records–the list goes on. But what about e-books? While many seem to be ditching paper-based books in favor of their electronic counterparts, is reading paper books really a lost form of pleasure? There are pros and cons to both options.

Thumbs up to e-books
‎
E-books clearly have many practical benefits. For one, they are much more portable. Rather than lugging a hard cover book in our already-too-heavy bags, we can now simply click open an e-book on our phone or tablet and read it whenever we feel the desire, even for just a few short minutes. E-books are also much easier to purchase. Do any of us really have time to locate a bookstore that is (sadly) still open, carve out a time window to travel there, and then hope the store carries the book we want to read? Instead of undergoing this laborious process, we can now hop onto one of the numerous online or app-based outlets for purchasing books and immediately download just about any book. We can also “rent” books library-style or download “books on tape” to listen to with just a short click or swipe. This all sounds great, right? Well, there are also many benefits to staying old fashioned.

Advantages of staying “old school”

Aside from good ‘ol nostalgia, there a‎re many valid reasons for sticking with paper books. First, the actual touching and turning of each page somehow makes reading a pleasurable act. We have all probably experienced that feeling of accomplishment when we see the pages remaining in a book move from a seemingly insurmountable quantity to just a few. Swiping a page on a tablet, on the other hand, one might argue, feels less relaxing and gratifying, and more like pressing a button on a GPS or ATM, cold and formulaic.

Multi-Tasking

E-books seem to provide more opportunities for “multi-tasking,” leading us to lose focus on the book at hand and start tackling items on our to-do lists. When reading a book on your tablet, for instance, you might realize that you need to order laundry detergent and bottled water from Fresh Direct, check your child’s school portal, or make a dinner reservation. Focusing on what could otherwise be a relaxing, mindful task can turn into just one of the many items on your to-do list.

Comprehension

Research tells us that we actually comprehend less of what we’re reading from an e-book than we do from a paper book. Perhaps it is the flashy gimmicks that appear when reading or the more interactive pictures and designs. Alternatively, it could be, as mentioned earlier, that our minds just wonder to our to-do lists filled with tasks that can be completed on the very same tablet, at the very same time.

Emmitting light

We’ve all heard that we shouldn’t watch TV or check email an hour or so before bedtime, since it may interrupt our sleep. Well, it’s true, and reading e-books is no different. The light that is emitted from our e-book devices can prevent us from falling and staying asleep. Reading should be relaxing, something we can use to wind down, not rile up.

Reading can offer so much joy, regardless of its form. Some prefer reading on tablets while others prefer old fashioned paper books. Ultimately, it is a personal decision but with technology evolving, we sometimes need to stop and wonder if sometimes old is still very good.

The post Print vs. E-Books: Which Are Better For Your Kids? appeared first on EBL Coaching.

5 Ways to Foster a Love of Reading

emily_levy — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 20:36:22 +0000

Originally published on the mommybites website

Many children love the ritual of curling up on a couch and reading a book. They can easily become lost in a story and consumed by the enthralling characters and gripping plot.Yet others completely lack this joy of reading. They would gladly engage in most other tasks: math problems, science experiments – even laundry or cleaning their rooms. Reading, to them, is lackluster and devoid of pleasure.Those who love books know that reading opens up so many opportunities for knowledge and pleasure. Try the tips below to help your child develop a true love for reading.Keep the material interesting.

Many parents feel the need to encourage their children to only read books that they see as having “educational” value. Try not to feel this pressure. Instead, encourage your child to read material on topics that he finds interesting, whether it’s sports, fashion, nature, biographies, bugs, or just about any other topic that peaks his interest.

Also, don’t limit your child to books – magazines, comics, websites, newspapers, and electronic devices are all great choices. The more children can connect with the material, the more likely they will be to continue reading while enjoying the process.

Make reading a multi-sensory experience.

‎Rather than sticking with a traditional, two-dimensional book, try to make the experience more multi-sensory for your child. When reading a book like I Love Chocolate, for instance, take out a piece of chocolate and have your child smell and taste it for a sensory experience. When reading No More Monkeys Jumping on the Bed, encourage your child to jump on the bed like the monkeys do in the story (hopefully without the head bumping).

As an alternative, try creating a tent using blankets and chairs, grab a flashlight, and read a spooky story underneath the “roof.” Your child will love these rituals and will come to look forward to the shared reading experience.

Expose your child to books you loved when you were young.

Many adults grew up with books such as The Giving Tree, Goodnight Moon, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Boxcar Children Series, and numerous others. As you read them (or your child reads them to you), tell her stories about your childhood experiences with them. Did you have a special reading spot at home? How old were you when you read certain books? Who first read them to you? Children love hearing these stories, and it makes them feel even more connected to the material and the experience.

Be a role model for reading.

With our countless errands, endless to-do lists and ‎whirlwind days, it can be challenging to fit in reading for pleasure. Yet if your child doesn’t see you engaging in reading as a hobby, she’ll be less likely to pick up a book for pleasure and more likely to find an alterative game, app, or tech toy to play with. Even if you can only fit in reading sparingly, try to make an effort to do so, and when you do, make sure your child sees you.

Play games! Reading doesn’t have to always involve a book.

There are many alternatives for practicing reading, including decoding signs along the highway and reading product labels at stores. Playing games are typically exciting activities for kids, and can be disguised as sheer fun while simultaneously reinforcing reading. Zingo, for instance, gives pre-readers and beginning readers practice reading words and matching them with pictures.‎ Snap It Up! is great for learning word families. Chunks is an entertaining game for reinforcing decoding, and the Learning Resources Reading Comprehension cubes are great for building reading comprehension skills.

There are many activities and experiences that can turn reading from seemingly mundane to enthralling and exciting for kids. Try these tips and watch your child develop a true love of reading!

The post 5 Ways to Foster a Love of Reading appeared first on EBL Coaching.

books Archives - EBL Coaching

Print vs. E-Books: Which Are Better For Your Kids?

5 Ways to Foster a Love of Reading