How Graphic Novels Can Spark an Interest in Reading Among Kids
August 15, 2021
While some children naturally enjoy reading, many kids struggle to stay engaged in a traditional book. Some dislike reading because they find it difficult to find reading material they enjoy, while others avoid reading because they struggle with literacy skills that make it hard for them to follow the story and understand what is going on.
One way that parents and teachers can help reluctant readers gain an interest in the activity is to introduce them to graphic novels. Graphic novels feature engaging stories and vibrant images that make it easier for struggling readers to read and develop literacy skills.
Discover how graphic novels can spark an interest in reading among kids to help them do better in school and develop self-confidence that will last a lifetime.
Helps develop literacy skills
Graphic novels help build reading skills that help your child perform better in the classroom and learn to enjoy reading. The format of graphic novels helps struggling readers develop vocabulary, sound out words, and read the subtext of a story.
They can develop better reading comprehension by picking up context clues from the images in a graphic novel. All these skills increase their reading levels as they finish more difficult books.
Keeps them engaged
Graphic novels foster reading engagement. Their subject matters can be emotional, impactful, and even controversial. Because these picture books are filled with detailed, gritty, or vibrant illustrations, they are exciting for readers who are otherwise bored with conventional books.
Kids are drawn to graphic novels because they use a visual medium combined with text to tell a story. This is a format that keeps kids alert and interested to find out what happens next.
Gives them reading confidence
If your child lacks interest in reading due to low confidence in their abilities, graphic novels can increase their confidence level and help them take on new reading challenges.
High-quality graphic novels give them a sense of accomplishment and help them feel like they too understand the literature that their friends or classmates are reading. This confidence can translate into a life-long optimism about their ability to accomplish their goals.
Offers a sense of belonging
Graphic novels often come with a strong fan base. If your child becomes interested in a specific series of graphic novels or comic books, this can give them a sense of belonging to a community. They may even ask to attend conventions with other fans and develop friendships with other children who love the characters and setting of a particular graphic novel.
This sense of belonging encourages them to keep reading and exploring new pieces of literature and helps them feel like they’ve carved out a place for themselves in the world.
Sparks creativity
Reading graphic novels can also spark a sense of creativity in your child or teen. They may be inspired to create their own comic book or graphic novel. Creativity can become a meditative activity that helps calm anxiety and aids in developing self-expression. Your child may discover they have wonderful storytelling skills or a passion for illustration they never knew existed.
If they are inspired to create their own comic book or graphic novel, they will further develop reading and writing skills and digital literacy as they explore comic creation apps and software programs.
Encourage Reading With Graphic Novels
If your child struggles with reading traditional texts, try to encourage reading by introducing them to graphic novels or comic books. The comic format provides kids with stories full of vivid imagery and told through exciting dialogue rather than dry prose. These elements can help your child spark an interest in reading and become more confident in their reading abilities.
If your child’s creativity is sparked by reading graphic novels, Comix Well Spring offers professional comic book printing for fun projects like stickers, bookmarks, shorter saddle stitch comics, and full-length graphic novels.