Did you know that comic books are some of the best books you can have your child read to increase vocabulary? It’s true. Of all the books in the world, comic books actually introduce more rare words per 1,000 than children’s books, preschool books and even adult books! Although I’m as shocked as anyone to say this, the fact remains that the only type of reading material with more diversity in vocabulary are scientific articles and newspapers. And let’s face it–those don’t have quite the same appeal to kids as books, if you know what mean.
So yes moms, comic books can actually be very beneficial to our children.
Now that is not to say that all comic books are created equal. There are some that I wouldn’t want my girls EVER reading as the vocabulary, although diverse, is definitely NOT appropriate for children. However, GOOD comics can be found. My girls really like Charlie Brown, Family Circus, and Calvin and Hobbes, for instance. And if I had boys they would probably like Spider Man, Batman, and some of those other super hero characters.
Yet, don’t think that comic books have to be all super heroes and newspaper comic strips. There are comic books out there covering all sorts of interests.
Want a fun way to teach history?
We like these historical comic magazines. They are like a history textbook put in graphic form! They are sooooo cool!
Want to instill an interest in some classic fiction?
Try the graphic novel version of the Boxcar Children mysteries. My eldest loves checking these out from the library.
Want to help your child establish a morning Bible study time?
Let him try out this Bible. Who’d have thought there would be a Bible in graphic novel form?!
So see, the next time you hear your child ask you if they can read a comic book, say yes! Guide their interest, because not only will comic books increase their love for reading and learning, they will also increase their vocabulary and provide value to other subjects you want them to learn anyway!
