Why Are Nonfiction Books Important For Kids?

If you grew up in the era when children’s books consisted solely of fiction, you may wonder what all the fuss is about with providing children with quality nonfiction books.  Introducing your child to nonfiction books provides him with a host of benefits.

• Helps build background knowledge. Your child’s academic success in the higher grades depends on his background knowledge in a wide range of topics. In fact, according to Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), 33 percent of the variance in academic achievement can be attributed to background knowledge.
• Increases motivation to learn by addressing children’s interests. Children are more likely to take on decoding complex text or challenging vocabulary when it is tied to their interests.
• Gives children a broader view of the world. Nonfiction books answer questions and expand on what children already know. This gives them a broader view and understanding of the world they live in.
• Makes text-to-life connections. When children read about the world around them, they instinctively connect what they are reading to their own life experiences concerning the topic.
• Builds vocabulary and comprehension skills. Because nonfiction books often contain new and often complex terms pertaining to the topic, children learn new vocabulary and develop an understanding of the terms.
• Sparks curiosity about the world around them. When children read nonfiction books about topics they are interested in, they often form new questions and are more likely to pursue the answers to their questions.

No one is suggesting that nonfiction books should take the place of great works of fiction, but including nonfiction in your child’s library will help him become a better reader and may spark new interests in the world around him.