Five Reasons: Joke Books Should be a Part of Every Child’s Library!

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1. ENCOURAGE READING:

Even the most reluctant and/or challenged reader will likely read a joke book. Children can feel self-conscious and insecure when reading is a challenge.

You don’t have to read an entire chapter, or even a whole page, to get to the punchline. That is rewarding and encouraging the reader to continue. Joke books allow children to create positive experiences with reading, one joke at a time.

2. ENHANCE COMPREHENSION:

Most children will read and re-read a joke book, many times, providing a great opportunity for reading practice. Repetitive reading is a pathway to proficiency, comprehension, and confidence. We also remember information easier when it is associated with emotional and/or sensory responses. When children read humor, they relate to the information in a way that allows them to increase their understanding, comprehension, and memory.

3. FOSTER SOCIAL SKILLS:

While children crave attention and love an audience, joke books beg to be read aloud Reading aloud and telling jokes is engaging, to both the reader and listener, and the positive feedback of laughter motivates the reader to continue. This is a winning combination, creating an engaging opportunity for any child to develop and enhance their reading ability while fostering their social skills.

4. EMOTIONAL BONDING WITH OTHERS:

Humor can cross social barriers. Humor works for all groups, generations, and genders. Reading a joke book to your child, or listening while they read to you, creates bonds that bridge the gaps between children, siblings, parents, and grandparents.

5. ENHANCE MOOD:

Don’t forget, laughter is the best medicine. Whether your child is reading to themselves, or aloud to others, it is difficult to stay sad or lonely when you are laughing.