Media – Harm or benefit : Part 2 Books Section3

Section III: Audio books

Unfortunately, many children do not like to read: reading for them is not fun, and on a contrary is a very unpleasant task. But it is difficult to find a child who does not like to be read aloud. However, the parents do not always have the opportunity to read to a child as much as the kid wants. And then audio books for children come to an aid.

In fact, audio books are not an invention of recent years. Many of us and our parents heard tales recorded on vinyl in childhood. As it appears these stories are not much different from the audio books. There are only some modifications about it, for instance a changed way of the media carrier and playback. Also nowadays Mp3 files and players became a replacement to vinyl plates and players.

Audio books for children are not only convenient (in the first place for the parents), but also are useful. Firstly, an important natural developed skill for children is the ability to receive the information by listening and concentration. This skill will be useful for them, not only in their studies, but also at the later stage in a life. Children's audio books help to develop this skill further.

Secondly, audio books for children help in the development of speech. Actors, reading children's audio books, have a proper and well-delivered speech articulation. Imitating them, the child learns to speak correctly. In addition, audio books increase mental vocabulary.

Thirdly, audio books reduce the pressure onto the eyes. Now people spend much time at the computer or watching TV. Increased (teaching) workload make children spend a lot of time over textbooks and notebooks. And if they read a lot of literature for pleasure - they should say goodbye to the good eyesight. Hence, audio books help not only to learn the literature but also to save the sight.

In addition, audio books for children help spend time if you have to stand in a queue with the child or go somewhere. It is very difficult to read, holding the book on weight or in shaking train or bus, people can listen anywhere at anytime though. Most importantly in this case is to get a headset, in order not to disturb others.

Unfortunately, nothing is perfect, and audio books can be harmful. First, audio books can completely discourage the child reading. Having got used to listen "without straining," they almost stop reading. Hence the ability to receive the information hearing will be well developed, but with visual perception person may have problem. Together with this comes also a difficulty for a child to spell the word right, which means the grammar skills remain undeveloped. 

Second, some parents mistakenly believe that audio books are able to compensate the lack of attention from parents. Of course, the work takes a lot of time and effort, but is it really hard to carve out a half hour a day and read aloud to your child sleep? If the child will have to choose between the voice of dictor and the voice of the mother - we can be sure they will choose their mother.

Third, the abuse of headphones can cause hearing loss. The best option - output sound to the speakers, but then others will have to listen to audio book with you. With moderate use of headphones any harm can be prevented from it, but if person will listen too much using headphones at high volume, a visit to the audiologist cannot be avoided.

So should people listen to children's audio books or not?

Of course, it is necessary, however it should be done in moderation. People should not replace the audio book reading, but to complement it. The audio books should not be used as a way to get rid of the child. If people listen to audio books they should do it the most of time through the speakers or if it is impossible through headphones of high quality.

We can probably try to kill two birds with one stone and combine listening to an audio book with reading the printed version. So the person will perceive information aurally and visually. This is especially useful when people have difficulty with one of the types of perception. Hence it can be helpful in studying foreign languages.

Read - or not read? Simple question. But, what, how and what for - you decide!

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Section 2.E-books.