Kapow! Wham! Boom! We adults know the magic of comic books, but what about the rugrats in our lives? If you’re a child in today’s world, you’re undoubtedly well-versed in the world of screens: social media, iPads, and even phones are their own super villain trio that harvest kids’ attention and make reading moot. So, how do you convince your little one that books are actually the coolest thing around?
Competing for your child’s attention feels like an uphill battle nowadays, but it’s time to recruit our beloved superhero friends. Gather ‘round, everyone—we’re about to dive headfirst into our favorite stories, and share a few reasons why young, reluctant readers seriously benefit from these nostalgic tales.
Comic Books are the Best of Both Worlds
Does your child think books can’t compete with TikTok? Think again! They provide just about everything today’s youth craves: visual stimulation, engaging stories, and fast-paced action. Kids won’t have to sift through a stuffy novel; they’ll follow along as Spider-Man goes toe-to-toe with Dr. Octopus, or lose themselves in the latest X-Men saga. Oh, and they won’t have more than 100 pages of content, either. Talk about a win-win…win.
Most comic series also have dozens of issues, allowing your child to devour their favorite hero’s journey. Depending on which story they prefer, those issues are also available from several sources. They can head to the library or invest their allowance in the newest floppy. (Let’s be honest: it never hurts to introduce them to the library at a young age, either.)
With all that artwork involved, there’s also no telling how inspired kids will get! It might inspire them to keep reading. It might inspire them to draft a comic issue of their own. Either way, it keeps them well away from screens and lets them practice their creativity. Old-fashioned pen and paper are especially beneficial in today’s world; with the AI boom zapping creative jobs, kids should learn the importance of a human touch!
Comics Provide Just as Much Mental Stimulation
Comic books are sort of like video games—they aren’t given proper credit. Stuffy “art-lovers” drone on and on about classic literature, and while there’s nothing wrong with 19th-century novels, that snobbiness often leads down a slippery slope. Video games rot the mind. Comics aren’t deep enough. Therefore, they’re a waste of time.
Well, count us among the nay-sayers! Nerds everywhere know the value and the power of a good series; there’s no reason the next generation should miss out on the fun! More than that, however, is their ability to break down complex themes in a more digestible way. Kids can learn about everything from death and grief to friendship and emotional maturity, all with stunning artwork that captures the human experience in ways words can’t always manage.
Comics aren’t just silly picture books, either. They help children with their vocabulary and reading comprehension, and they foster a strong sense of critical thinking. So long as they’re taught properly in schools (or at home), children can retain just as much from comic strips as they do The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.
Be Careful What You Expose Them To
Parents already know the difficulty of media literacy in kids. They also know all about the importance of ratings. Comics aren’t really an exception. If you allow your child to indulge in comics, pay attention to the series, the difficulty, and especially the rating. The last thing you want is for them to gawk at gory material or read something above their level.
It’s also important to encourage broadened horizons. There’s nothing wrong with comics, but you want them to venture past Stan Lee—the idea is that graphics will entice them to pick up more books as they age. Don’t be afraid to recommend other books if you notice that they’ve started to read more often; those library trips can be a healthy mix of reading material!
Pay attention to the story itself, too. Does that comic have lessons about right and wrong, or is it glorifying the Joker’s actions? Is that issue a particularly gory one, one that might scar them for life? Nuance might go right over your kid’s head, so it’s always better to give them something in their ballpark. (Don’t worry, they can read all the fun stuff later!)
Comics got the short end of the stick for a long time. Critics everywhere denounced them as a silly little book more filled with scantily-clad women than legitimate moral lessons. And in the midst of that negativity, kids fell by the wayside. It’s time to reintroduce youngsters to the benefits of comic books! They’ll not only improve literacy, but they’ll also give them stories to gab about well into adulthood.
