Engaging Children In NonFiction

Young boy reading with smile on his face

Engaging Children In Nonfiction
By Ericka Hall
Children’s Associate, Aflac Children's Department 
Columbus Public Library

 

Nonfiction books are a great way to build foundational knowledge, introduce young readers to new concepts and vocabulary, and help a child build or discover new talents. At first, it may be daunting to introduce a picky or reluctant reader to books that don’t have fantasy settings, action-filled plots, or charismatic personalities. Here are some creative ways you can spark your young readers’ interests in nonfiction and form a life-long habit of loving to learn new things. 

 

  1. Pair hands-on play with nonfiction books. Does your child love LEGOS? There are LEGO project books that you can easily combine with broader books about architecture or engineering. Do they love to draw? This is also a great opportunity to introduce them to art history or a history book on the Italian Renaissance.  

Suggestions from our collection: The Lego Architect by Tom Alphin, The Lego animation book: Make Your Own LEGO Movies by David Pagano, Who was Leonardo Da Vinci? by Roberta Edwards, Cultured Donuts: Take a Bite out of Art History by Chloe Tyler 

 

  1. Encourage natural curiosity. Every child goes through a period where they are constantly asking questions about how the world around them works, for example “Why is the sky blue?” “How big is the Sun?” “How do birds fly?” You may not know the answers to these questions, but this is a great opportunity to let your child find books on space, biology, chemistry, etc. to answer these questions.  

Suggestions from our collection: The Periodic Table of Elements: Understanding the Building Blocks of Everything by Jon Chad, Ask a Scientist by Robert M. L. Winston, Great STEM projects: Tried-and-True Experiments for all Budding Scientists by Jack Challoner    

 

  1. Learn to cook a new dish. Cookbooks are great nonfiction starters because they introduce young readers to vital scientific concepts like how to follow directions, measuring quantities of solids and liquids, how different ingredients react to heat or cold, and dissolving substances. Readers get to express their creative side while learning science through cooking.  

Suggestions from our collection: Disney Villains cookbook by Joy Howard, My Pokemon Cookbook : Delicious Recipes inspired by Pikachu and Friends by Victoria Rosenthal, Children’s Quick & Easy Cookbook : More than 60 Simple Recipes by Angela Wilkes  

 

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