Why Reading Children’s Books Is Beneficial for Adults Too!

Take a moment, sit back, relax, and think about that time of your childhood when your bedside shelf was full of colorful storybooks. It was like an utmost treasure. Wasn't it? For me, those storybooks were something I wouldn't exchange for even a million dollars because they would take me to a unique world full of magic, toys, ice creams, chocolates, superpowers, and whatnot. As a child, I didn't belong to a very rich family. So unlike many of my friends, during summer vacations, my family had no northern areas or international trips planned. Nevertheless, I was always excited about summer vacations because that was the best time of the year. For me, summer vacations meant reading stories the entire day while lying on the swing chair on our patios.

However, like most people, I also thought that children's books were meant to be for children only. So, as I grew up, I also switched to teenage and then adult fiction. Reading was still my favorite hobby, but as time passed, I was engulfed by various personal and professional responsibilities. Slowly and gradually, reading started to feel like a not-really enjoyable activity. I took it as a part of growing up.

But the other day, while revisiting my childhood pictures, I recalled that stress-free time when I would spend my days and nights reading. To relive those moments, I produced one of my favorite books, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, from my cupboard and started reading it, just for fun.

I didn't realize that within no time, I had read about 100 pages. I could actually smell the delectable aroma emerging from the flowing hot chocolate lake. That night after so many months, or say years, I stayed up forcefully because I didn't want to put that book down. However, I was still skeptical as to why I, as an adult, enjoyed reading a children's fantasy novel so much. Was I an immature person? Had my brain not grown up enough?

These questions led me to do some research. To my surprise and relief, I was not alone. I found a myriad of articles and blogs where people had shared their experiences about reading children's books and juvenile fiction. This research helped me fathom the benefits of reading children's stories as adults. Let's see what they are:

You can reconnect to your child-self

As the challenges and responsibilities of adult life take a toll on us, we all miss being a child when life was not that difficult and demanding – if not perfect. There is no time machine to take you back to your early days, though, reading children's books can do the trick. The vivid description of the mountains made of ice cream or the houses made of cookies wakes up your inner child and transports you to a magical world where nothing is impossible.

Your mind feels relaxed

Have you ever read about the benefits of meditation? Meditation can?give you a sense of tranquility, comfort, and balance?that can result in improved emotional as well as overall health. Reading children's stories can have a similar effect on you. Most children's books are light-hearted and full of fun. The wittiness of different characters and smart solutions to problems will give you a good laugh. When you are engrossed in the world of imagination, it de-stresses your mind and soothes your nerves. You will experience some amazing positive effects on your health if you practice this activity on a regular basis.

You will become a better parent

When you read children's stories as a child, your only purpose was to enjoy. However, when you read these stories as an adult, you actually peek through the window of the past. Rereading the stories from your childhood have a nostalgic effect. It makes all the feelings and emotions associated with that specific timeframe alive. You recall all those things which you loved as a child or the things which hurt you the most. It strengthens your analytical skills and makes you more empathetic towards your children. You are in a better position to understand your child's psychology and can raise your child with a renewed perspective. Moreover, reading children's stories can turn you into an amazing storyteller, which will yet again help you spend quality time with your child and develop a better parent-child relationship.

You can become a good writer

The more you read, the better you can write. Not only children's stories are full of fun, but they are also full of rich vocabulary; hence they can enhance your literacy skills. Not that being a good writer is imperative only to write stories and books; it is one of the essential parts of communication and can help you a great deal in your personal and professional lives.

You are never too old to read children's stories. Everyone has the right to be happy, have fun, and always feel young. Reading children's books can be a good start to incorporating all these things into your life. ??