Screens are everywhere—from school tablets and weekend gaming sessions to endless videos on YouTube.
As a parent, you’ve probably wondered: Is all this screen time okay? Should I be doing something about it?
The short answer: yes—and not by banning screens, but by balancing them..
Why is it important to have a diverse bookshelf? Well, there are so many reasons!
As a child, sometimes it can be difficult to be different from the other kids. This is one of the many reasons why it is important to teach children that they are valued and seen. Sometimes, being a child with friends or classmates who can’t relate to you can feel isolating. When young readers see themselves in books and can make connections with the characters, it can help provide validation for those who are going through struggles. Making connections to these inclusive characters can also exemplify possibilities for children. It can open their eyes to who and what they can be now and in the future.
Another reason why it is important to build a collection of books that value inclusivity is because it can be exciting for a young reader. Imagine being a child, opening a book, and seeing a character who you relate to. It can be a memorable moment for young readers when they come across a character that looks like them, has the same disability, shares their culture, or shares an array of other similarities.
Books with diverse characters can also help children build empathy for different people. Diversity in books also helps young readers find similarities with those who may seem quite different initially, which can help them relate more to others.
Valuing diversity and inclusivity in books is also beneficial for understanding others more. Some books can serve as an introduction for young readers to new perspectives, ideas, and experiences. Children’s books can also be a way for readers to learn about and engage with social issues and important topics they aren’t very familiar with. Many children can learn about topics that can sometimes be difficult to discuss– such as bullying, racism, sexism, or other social issues– in a way that can be easier for them to understand.
Next time your child is choosing a book to read, encourage them to search for a story with a character who looks different from them, a character who has a different culture from them, a character who has a disability, or even a topic that is new to them. This will help you and your child build a diverse and inclusive reading portfolio.
Here are six fantastic books that embrace diversity and would make a great addition to your bookshelf.
1. What If We Were All The Same! by C.M. Harris
This is a phenomenal book for teaching children to embrace ethnic diversity. This book asks its readers the big question: What if we were all the same? The truth is that life would be very boring if this were true! Some folks have the wrong understanding of diversity and inclusion. They may believe that our differences inhibit our ability to relate and connect with each other, so we should ignore them. However, our differences should not be ignored. These differences make us who we are, so they should be celebrated. Differences can bring us together just as much as similarities do. As a bonus, the book has also been released in Spanish!
2. Erin, Roderick and the Diffability Bunch by Fliss Goldsmith
Inclusion means also including folks with disabilities. This story is about a group of children competing in a race. The book does a great job of representing various disabilities while simultaneously telling a fun story. There is even a page of the book that shows a character communicating in sign language with close-up illustrations of the character’s hands! This book does a fantastic job of highlighting the unique capabilities of each individual.
3. Just Because... by C.M. Harris
Just because people might view you to be a certain way, it doesn’t mean you can’t diverge from these expectations. This is the first book in the Ms. Freckle series, and it takes place in a classroom filled with students of all kinds. The story shows readers examples of the ways that people can defy expectations. This book shows young children that having different preferences from others is okay. We all enjoy different activities, which should not make us feel excluded from others. Just Because... is a fantastic story for teaching young readers the importance of self-acceptance and diversity.
4. Erin, Roderick Discover Families by Fliss Goldsmith
No family is exactly the same, and that is what this book sets out to teach young readers. This story brings visibility to families of all kinds, including traditional families, single-parent families, adoptive families, and much more. It is crucial to ensure that children feel seen and accepted if they come from a non-traditional family because it is rare to see these families being shown in the media.
5. The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
Do you have a name that gets mispronounced quite often? Well, a lot of people do! This book shines a light on those of us with a name that might not be very common where we reside. The Name Jar is about a young Korean girl named Unhei who moves to the United States, where her American classmates have trouble pronouncing her name. After going on an adventure of trying to find a new name, Unhei soon realizes that her name is unique and amazing! This book does a fantastic job of showcasing diversity in language, culture, and names while also telling a cute and clever story that captures the attention of young readers.
6. All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold
As a child, one of the best places to get to know different people is in a classroom. This book showcases a school with classrooms filled with loved, appreciated, and valued students, no matter their differences. The story does a great job of exemplifying how people have various traditions and backgrounds– all of which are celebrated.
#inclusivebooks #childrensbooks #booksforchildren #readingisessential #bookrecommendations #booksforteachers #newbooksforkids #diversereads
In recent years, technology has been expanding rapidly. Thus, most aspects of society evolve around screens and social media. Education is included in the digital expansion, meaning that much of the traditional learning and reading that people have taken part in for centuries is quickly being taken over by screen time.
So, how can you help your child develop their reading skills while also allowing them to enjoy their time on a digital device? First, let’s look into why it is important to find this balance.
The Effects of Screen Time on Child Development
Screen time plays a crucial role in child development. A study from the National Library of Medicine shows that there are negative effects on the cognitive results of a child that result from screen media use. An increased exposure to screens at an early age can negatively affect cognitive abilities and academic performance later in life. Excessive screen time has also shown to lead to socio-emotional developmental issues, some of which include depression, anxiety, sleep problems, aggressive behavior, emotional comprehension impairment, and other issues.
While there are significant issues regarding child development that can result from screen time, studies have also found that there are ways that screen media usage can enhance children’s cognitive development. Screens can potentially enhance children’s education and learning. Children have access to an array of educational tools and resources on the Internet.
Setting Time Limits on Screen Time
Since there are both positive and negative impacts on children’s development that can result from excessive screen time, it is important to set time limits on screen usage. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the ideal discretionary screen time limits for children aged 3 to 7 years old range from about 30 minutes to one hour per day.
It is imperative that parents monitor the devices that their kids use in order to prevent them from spending an excessive amount of time looking at screens. Most devices have parental controls that can be enabled, which has allowed many parents to set time limits on their children’s electronic devices.
It can also be helpful to set limitations on when and where your child is allowed to use an electronic device. One way to do this is for parents to discourage their children from looking at screens while they are eating or in a discussion with another person. This can also assist children in understanding how to become more engaged with others in conversations. It can also set a foundation for building healthy habits in your child’s future, as they will learn the importance of keeping work and home life separate from each other. It is also imperative that children do not look at screens right before their bedtime. Looking at screens within an hour before going to bed can contribute to a worse quality of sleep, so it could be helpful not to allow electronic devices in your child’s bedroom as they are getting ready to go to bed.
It is important to set aside time for reading.
Parents and teachers alike must put in the work to bring a healthy balance of screen time and reading time to the lives of children. Encouraging kids to read is imperative in helping their development and it can improve their lives in an abundance of ways!
One way to incorporate more reading time into a child’s life is to make it into a routine. Some parents set aside 30 minutes for their child to read a book just before falling asleep. Others might have reading time with their child right after dinner. Setting aside a specific slot of time each day for reading with their child can help kids understand that this is a crucial part of their daily tasks. After a while, reading will become part of their routine, just like brushing their teeth and eating breakfast.
Screen time is not always the answer for boredom.
It can be easy and convenient to give a child a screen to entertain them, especially as a busy parent. However, this doesn’t always have to be the solution. Providing children with books to read can be a positive way for children to spend their time and exercise their minds. Plus, reading can be lots of fun!
Picture books are made to keep young children engaged in what they are reading. These books are filled with bright and colorful illustrations that are correlated with the story. Additionally, children’s books often implement stories that teach kids important lessons in a digestible way. For example, the book The Lonely Zebra by C.M. Harris introduces children to the topics of kindness, empathy, and standing up for others all while incorporating fun and beautiful illustrations that capture the attention of young readers.
The Lonely Zebra by C.M. Harris
While it can be tempting to give a child an electronic device as a solution to their boredom, this should not become a habit. So, what can you do if your kids continuously complain about being bored? The truth is, boredom is not such a bad thing! When a child is bored, they are forced to use their creative minds in order to find ways to entertain themselves. This helps them develop their minds and adds to a more fulfilling life.
Digital Reading and Traditional Reading
We are living in an age where technology is all around us. This also means that reading is more convenient than ever before! E-books can be a go-to option for reading if you don’t have much space for physical books. They can also be a great alternative for traditional reading if you are constantly on-the-go. However, research has shown that children comprehend more of the information in traditional reading as opposed to digital reading. Kids also retain a greater amount of information in traditional books because it engages more of our senses. For example, when reading physical books, you have to turn every page.
Screens are not all bad. In fact, there are many ways we can utilize new technology to help our children learn and grow. The important part of navigating the digital age is understanding how to find a healthy balance with the time that is spent on digital devices and the time that is spent partaking in other activites.
