THE IMPORTANCE OF CHILDREN'S LITERATURE IN READING DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

The foundation for later educational opportunities is laid in early childhood, when reading and writing are indispensable basic skills. Even young children have the best prerequisites to become avid readers. Their curiosity, adventurousness and thirst for knowledge are the most important qualities for achieving these skills. Research shows how important reading is for children's language development. Children who read regularly often perform better in school and in their personal development and develop social skills such as empathy, a sense of responsibility and a sense of justice. It is obvious that the broad statement around the potential derived from children's literature can contribute, first of all, to the formation of active and competent readers, thus an important learning of the child in the educational process. Therefore, teachers and parents are in an important position to ensure that reading is an essential part of children's daily routine. Research has shown that children's literature develops children's imagination and creativity, supports language development, enriches vocabulary and raises awareness of various issues. In addition to these features, children can learn about themselves, their daily experiences and problems, the people and objects around them, and even about societies and traditions in faraway places. In other words, through literary books, children can experience situations and emotions that they do not have, see places they cannot see, and meet people they do not know and experience in their daily lives.