[Will.]

Discuss.

[Niamh.]

All children are different, some will love reading and some just won't be into it reading can only ever be a good thing though imo, obviously for educational purposes but also because you'll never be lonely if you love to read

[LeatherTrumpet]

for brain development studies have shown its vital, it also helps with sleep and to bond with the parents

vital in my book

[Kizzy]

Very, very very important, crucial. Kids who aren't used to being read to or reading will be at a serious disadvantage when they get to school.

[rubymoo]

Vitally important, books give so much to children, and teach more than you think. Books are an important part of my girls lives and have been since they were babies, they have a deep appreciation of books and read every single day.

http://www.mylittlebookcase.com.au/r...-for-children/

[RichardG]

I never read books and still don't and I haven't turned out too bad. I didn't even read the books for my English Literature GCSE I just watched the films and memorised the chapter summaries online and I got an A* so they can't be too important.

[rubymoo]

Originally Posted by RichardG

I never read books and still don't and I haven't turned out too bad. I didn't even read the books for my English Literature GCSE I just watched the films and memorised the chapter summaries online and I got an A* so they can't be too important.

Awww you're missing out Richard, books are great!

You're not alone though, my husband has never read a book

And he's not turned out too bad either

[arista]

Originally Posted by LeatherTrumpet

for brain development studies have shown its vital, it also helps with sleep and to bond with the parents

vital in my book

Bang On Right LT

[Toy Soldier]

Learning to read is obviously vital. Whether or not it necessarily has to be "books", is probably up for debate. For example, in early primary school my reading level was FAR beyond most of my year group, partly because I'm a genius obvz, but mainly because I was really into (now) oldschool text-based and point'n'click adventure games, which involve a lot of reading...

That said - most children do enjoy reading so long as the material is interesting (i.e. not the out of date boring trash they get as school homework...) and so I don't see many children not being interested.

[Lostie!]

If you're talking about reading for fun rather than for educational purposes (the latter of course being vital), I don't think it's too important. I wasn't much into books as a kid (I always liked the idea of certain books but lacked the motivation to actually read them), but nowadays I'm really into reading so just because a child isn't really into books doesn't necessarily have an effect on them as they grow up.

Of course, if they want to read that's great but it's not necessarily bad if they don't as long as they're getting a good education.

[billy123]

Books have long since been replaced by the internet. There is no reason whatsoever anymore why someone cant gain a full education and be considered "well read" without having being an avid reader of books.

[andybigbro]

I didn't read books and I failed higher English TWICE.

So maybe I should have read more

But all children learn differently so I guess it depends on the individual

[jennyjuniper]

Very very important. When they are small, bedtime stories with mum or dad is a way of spending quality time with them. As they grow older, books can open up worlds to them and stretch their imaginations. Books can also be a solice to lonely children.
A world without books would be a very dismal place.