If you think about way in which food is perceived by adults and children, it is very different. For example, adults often use food for comfort or to celebrate a special occasion while children view food as food – a way to make a hungry tummy stop hurting. Therefore, if you have a child who begins to show signs of being a picky eater, remember that his or her body at that particular time may not need much food. When this situation first begins, offer encouragement but never force your child to clean his or her plate. In most cases, not making a big deal is best course of action.

Why Do We Tell Children to Read ?

We're always telling children that books and reading are good for them, but have we ever really thought about why that's true ? Exactly what do older children get out of reading novels ? What do younger kids get from reading children's stories and being read to ? Does reading matter ?

The purpose of this article is to say that, yes, it's true, reading really is important, and that there are some solid reasons why that is so. Let's begin with practical benefits and then move on to less tangible rewards of a life filled with reading.

Books Help Children Develop Vital Language Skills

Reading is an important skill that needs to be developed in children. Not only is it necessary for survival in world of schools and (later on) universities, but in adult life as well. The ability to learn about new subjects and find helpful information on anything from health problems and consumer protection to more academic research into science or arts depends on ability to read.

Futurologists used to predict death of printed word but, ironically, Internet has made reading more and more a part of people's daily lives. The paperless society is a myth. The computer's ability to process and analyze data means that endless variations on reports and other types of documents can be and are generated. Internet, itself an enormous new source of information and recreation, is based on humble written word. To effectively utilize web and judge authenticity and value of what is found there, both reading and critical thinking skills are of prime importance.

The more children read, better they become at reading. It's as simple as that. The more enjoyable things they read are, more they'll stick with them and develop reading skills that they'll need for full access to information in their adult lives. Reading should be viewed as a pleasurable activity - as a source of entertaining tales and useful and interesting factual information.

The more young children read stories and are read to, greater their interest in mastering reading. Reading out loud exposes children to proper grammar and phrasing. It enhances development of their spoken language skills, their ability to express themselves verbally.

Reading, by way of books, children's stories, magazines or websites, exposes kids to new vocabulary. Even when they don't understand every new word, they absorb something from context that may deepen their understanding of it next time word is encountered. When parents read aloud to children, children also hear correct pronunciation as they see words on page, even if they can't yet read words on their own.

Reading Can Open Up New Worlds and Enrich Children's Lives

As mentioned above, reading opens doors - doors to factual information about any subject on earth, practical or theoretical. Given wealth of available resources such as Internet, libraries, schools and bookstores, if children can read well and if they see reading as a source of information, then for rest of their lives they will have access to all of accumulated knowledge of mankind, access to all of great minds and ideas of past and present. It truly is magic !

Through books and stories, children can also learn about people and places from other parts of world, improving their understanding of and concern for all of humanity. This, in turn, contributes towards our sense that we truly live in a "global village" and may help us bring about a more peaceful future for everyone. This can happen through nonfiction but, perhaps even more importantly, reading stories that are set in other places and time periods can give children a deeper understanding of others through identification with individual characters and their plights.