Ebooks are books in electronic format. They have names and pictures, like traditional print books. They can have interactive elements such as recorded narration, music, sound effects, animation, games, and built-in dictionaries and so on.
You read eBooks on eReaders like Kindle or Kobo, computers, or apps on tablets and smartphones.
Benefits of eBooks
Like textbooks, well-designed eBooks can help children to develop language, social, listening, and thinking skills.
E-books can also be a unique and fun way for kids to enjoy reading, hearing stories and reading details. For example:
- Illustrations, animations, and games can help children to understand and remember details.
- Music can help children to understand the characters and the structure of the plot.
- Dictionaries and narratives can help children learn words and increase vocabulary.
- EBooks can support emerging students and children who find it difficult to read independently, including children with learning disabilities. These children can listen to the story while following the words. They can also use interactive features to better understand the stories.
- EBooks can sometimes inspire attentive readers.
You can start reading print books with babies as early as you like – when it starts to get better. But it is best to avoid eBooks for children less than two years of age. Books do not likely have many advantages for this age group and are not recommended.
Disadvantages of eBooks
E-books can interfere with children’s learning if animation sounds and games do not work well with text.
Sometimes aspects of interaction can make it difficult for children to understand stories. For example, this can happen when there are no sounds related to the story.
Reading and discussing stories with your child promotes mental and emotional development, teaches your child about language and feelings, and strengthens your relationships. That is why it is good to read with your child daily. It’s great to share a combination of print and eBooks.
How to Choose right eBooks for your child
When choosing eBooks for your child, look for similar features that you might look for in print books,
These qualities include:
- A well-discussed stories about your child’s interests or interests
- A variety of words
- Catchy, catchy rhymes that help your child learn language
- Non-fiction and accurate facts set at your child’s right level.
It is also important to consider factors such as noise, animation and games. This should work well with the text to show the story and help the children to understand the story or learn something new.
You can also check if you can customize the ebook. For example, would you close an account to read this book to your child? Or is there a reading mode only so that your child can listen to the story without the interactive features?
Reading eBooks with your child
Your child will benefit greatly from eBooks when you read eBooks together.
- Hold your child close to or knee while reading so that your child can see your face and the book.
- Try to turn off the story and read the text to your child first.
- Talk about the story with your child, focus on the parts your child is interested in, and ask open-ended questions – for example, ‘How do you think dinosaurs feel?’ Or ‘What do you think will happen next?
- Try to focus on the story or information rather than on the phone. You can do this by connecting the elements in the story – for example, ‘Why do you think there is fun music?’
- Turn off animation and games if you think they are interrupting your child.
- Help your child learn to use an eBook – for example, by showing your child how to swipe, scroll and use interactive features. You can swipe book pages together.
- Look for signs that your child is disturbed or losing interest. It could be time to put the eBook away or try some kind of book.
Ebooks and bedtime
Traditional print books are ideal for bedtime because they help your child feel comfortable and ready for bed.
If you want to use eBooks at bedtime, it is best to avoid eBooks that are loud and fun, which may encourage your child.
It is also a good idea to use an eReading device that allows you to reduce the blue light. Blue light can make it harder for your baby to sleep because it tricks his brain into thinking it is daytime. Some devices have a ‘night switch’ or ‘night light’ setting that converts the light emitted by the device. You can also download blue light filters.
Choosing an eReader for your child and family
Readers come in two types:
- Do everything eReader’s like eBooks eLibrary
- Just reading devices like Kindle
- These questions can help you choose the right device for your child and your family.
What do you need to practice the device for?
EBEL is designed for learning and related functions such as looking up words or looking for information online. You can do many things on the tablet, such as playing games, running apps, accessing social media, watching video and more.
How old is your child?
Young children that are developing motor skills may find it easier to use tap and swipe touch screens. The controls on devices like EBEL are difficult for very young children to use.
Will you be using the device to do a lot of reading?
Online ebook libraries like eBooks eLibrary and Kindle have very easy screens to read because they use ink-like technology. Tablets have reversible screens associated with eye lift. If you are using a tablet, smartphone or computer, it is a good idea to reduce the amount of light to prevent eye strain.