When a person is able to read, he or she is able to understand the thoughts, feelings or facts another person is expressing. The act of reading is more than putting together words to form a sentence to communicate fact, though. In many areas of writing, it is just as important to communicate about feelings, thoughts and emotions of all types. One of the best ways to teach children and young adults to explore these other areas of writing is to provide more access to them.
There are many areas of writing besides the standard fictional piece. Many children are introduced to literature through the use of fiction because it is often more enjoyable and easier to comprehend. However, this material is not all there is to explore. Children should be able to comprehend and gather information from nonfiction as well. In addition, prose and poetry is also important. For younger children, the use of picture books can be stimulating. Mystery, suspense and many other subtypes of written work is just as valuable to take into consideration.
The value of teaching children in this manner is easy to see. Not only do children who read various types of written work better able to communicate his or her needs, feelings and thoughts, but these children do well across the board in school work and well beyond in daily life. Literature is more important than many other subjects because it not only provides information but it teaches a skill that the child can later use in his or her own life.
The more types of literature a person is exposed to, on a daily basis or even over his or her lifetime, the more unique ways he or she can develop to express feelings and thoughts, not to mention factual and fictional information. Keep in mind the best communicators are often the best readers in the group.