As a parent or caregiver, you want to give your child the best opportunities for success in school. One way to do that is to start reading to them everyday, starting at infancy. Your first instinct may to reach for that classic fairy tale book that Jaden has asked you to read 500 times already, but next time, try reading a nonfiction text! Nonfiction texts are packed with information that teach children about the world around them and help kids foster their development in a number of important ways. In this blog post, we will discuss five reasons why you should be reading nonfiction text with your young learner!

What is Nonfiction Text?

Nonfiction text, sometimes called fact-based writing, is a type of instructional text that features real-world knowledge on topics such as history, science, ecology, and more. Nonfiction texts frequently include images, diagrams, and other visuals to assist and illustrate the information being conveyed. This differs from made-up fiction text, which is a sort of story that is not based on true events. Nonfiction texts are important for early childhood education because they provide a foundation of factual knowledge that children can build upon as they grow older.

Types of Nonfiction Text 

There are many types of nonfiction text you can read with your young learner. Nonfiction children's books take on different formats and cover a range of topics, so there is something for everyone! Three of the most common categories of nonfiction text include:

• Informational - These contain information about the world around us that help kids develop a better understanding of the world around them. Topics can range from history and science to animals and nature. Nonfiction books are a great way to help kids learn! 
• How-To - These texts teach kids how to do things, such as make a cake or build a birdhouse. How-to books are perfect for kids who are creative and want to tackle new projects!
• Biographies - These teach children about the lives of real people, such as famous athletes or singers. Biographies can be a great way to show how anyone can accomplish their dreams with hard work and determination!

Why Nonfiction Text is Important for Young Children

Nonfiction text is a great way to help children develop important skills that can help them succeed in life. Here are five reasons why you should be reading nonfiction text with your young learner!

1. Nonfiction Text Will Teach Your Child About the World Around Them!

Nonfiction text introduces children to topics such as history, science, and nature in an age-appropriate manner and helps children build important background knowledge they will need in school. By reading nonfiction texts together, your child will learn about the world around them in a fun and engaging way. They will also develop an appreciation for knowledge and learning. Nonfiction books can help inspire kids to explore new interests and learn more about topics that fascinate them. Nonfiction texts can also help kids become more empathetic as they learn about people, cultures, and events from different parts of the world. Nonfiction text will expand your child’s horizons in a way that fiction books cannot.

2. Nonfiction Text Will Help Your Child Expand Their Vocabulary!

As your child reads or listens to nonfiction text, they will encounter many new words that may not appear in their everyday speech or reading material. Nonfiction texts are filled with terms related to the topic at hand, so kids have a great opportunity to learn and expand their vocabulary skills. By reading nonfiction books regularly, your child will become more familiar with new words and their meanings, which will help them in all areas of life, from academics to social interactions.

3. Nonfiction Text Will Help Your Child Develop Critical Thinking Skills!

Critical thinking skills are extremely important for children to develop, and what better way to help them do so than by reading nonfiction? Nonfiction text presents information in a clear and concise manner, which helps kids learn how to analyze information critically. They also have to figure out the main idea of a text and understand how it is related to other ideas. Through nonfiction text, kids can learn how to find and assess information from a variety of sources. They also learn how to corroborate information from different sources and form their own opinions on topics. All of these skills are important for children as they continue their education and someday enter the workforce. Nonfiction text will provide your learner with real-world information they will need to solve problems and make good decisions on a daily basis.

4. Nonfiction Text Will Help Your Child Learn How To Ask Questions!

Nonfiction books introduce children to new topics and concepts that they may be unfamiliar with. They often pose questions throughout the text as well. This helps kids learn how to ask thoughtful questions and encourages them to think more deeply about the information they are reading, which will help strengthen their reading comprehension skills! In general, asking questions is an important skill that will help your child in all areas of life, from schoolwork to personal relationships.

5. Nonfiction Books are Just Plain Fun!

Nonfiction books are just plain fun to read! They are interesting, engaging, and informative. Kids will love learning about new topics and exploring the world through nonfiction texts. Nonfiction books provide a wealth of information on a variety of subjects, so kids can continue learning long after they finish reading the text. What better way to spend time with your child than by reading together? Nonfiction texts are a great way to bond and connect with your little one. Reading nonfiction books is a fun, educational experience that your whole family can enjoy!

How Do I Get My Kid to Read More Nonfiction?

Nonfiction books can be a great way to encourage your child to read, but they are not always kids' favorites - especially for those who prefer your traditional picture book. To help your child become more interested in nonfiction books, try to find texts that are related to things that they are interested in. For example, if your child loves dinosaurs, find a nonfiction book about prehistoric creatures. Nonfiction text can also be made more engaging by looking for versions that include interesting illustrations or photographs. You can also try reading aloud with your child and discussing the text as you go. This will help your child stay engaged with the material as you ask questions about what they are reading. Nonfiction text can be a great way to help your child learn and grow, but it is important to find books that interest them in order for them to be successful.

Looking for Nonfiction Text About African American Heroes?

Our Legendary Leaders - Black History Flashcards feature nonfiction text that teach children about some of the most influential leaders, past and present, in a kid-friendly manner. Created by a teacher with young readers in mind, our flashcards are designed to promote reading, cognitive, and language skills. Our educational flash cards can even be used as a game where players try to guess the person based on their facts – the names are written upside down on the bottom of each card! Encourage your kids to learn about Matthew Henson, Shirley Chisholm, Booker T. Washington, and more with our Legendary Leaders - Black History Flashcards. Only at www.ABSeeMe.com!

So there you have it – five excellent reasons why you should be reading nonfiction text with your young learner! Nonfiction books provide kids with essential information and skills that will help them succeed in school and beyond. They are fun to read and offer a wealth of knowledge on a variety of topics. Reading nonfiction together is a great way to bond with your child and help them learn and grow. So be sure to include nonfiction texts in your family reading routine!

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A Free Gift from Us - Our NONFICTION DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR YOUNG LEARNERS!

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As you read nonfiction text aloud to your child (or students), engage in shared reading, or listen to them read independently, it's important to ask children questions before, during, and after reading to encourage deeper thinking and comprehension. Use this list of questions to generate a productive discussion to support and expand your young learner's understanding of the text. Please note, the questions vary in difficulty so select questions that are appropriate for your child’s skill level.

Happy Learning!

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