The Benefits of Using Custom Children Book

There’s always that initial moment of jaw-dropping, eye-widening wonder when a child sees themselves in their own book. And over time, this wonder allows a child to engage more fully with what they’re reading and learning. In fact, reading personalised books ‘enables children to see themselves as readers from an early age which, if maintained, can put them three years ahead of their peers in reading age by the age of 14’ (NLT). Yup – THREE years. Tres, trois, tre… it’s a triumphant statistic indeed.

Benefit 2: Increases self-esteem

All of our books are written to help children to develop a sense of positive self-identity. This is especially true in our personalized book The Wondrous Road Ahead.

In this story, you can choose three strengths for your child to carry with them on the journey of life – from bravery, to honesty, to kindness and respect.

Dr. Natascha Crandall, Education Consultant, told us the story ‘promotes positive qualities and teaches children in a very concrete way how our character traits are tools that we use in difficult situations, and that these tools can be used to help ourselves as well as others. By having this be a personalized book, it takes it one step further and shows children that they already have these traits.’

Benefit 3: Skyrockets early learning and literacy skills

The power of personalization has been well-documented to improve kids’ ability and motivation to learn. When children are engaged in the story, they are more easily able to pick up new words and knowledge. And what’s more, they can recall them more easily too! A study of pre-school children found that children spoke more, and for longer, when sharing personalized stories. And another study showed a significant leap in word acquisition when reading a personalized text versus a non-personalized one. Hurrah!

Following this awesome and promising research, we’ve launched our first personalized learning book, ABC For You. Using rhyme, color, opposites and a highly personalized (and fun) mini-story on each spread, it contains all the tools to help launch a little one’s learning journey into the stratosphere.

Benefit 4: Develops empathy

Stories play a huge role in helping children understand the thoughts, feelings and motivations of others. Carnegie Mellon University discovered that when you get lost in a book, your brain lives through the characters at a neurological level. So when children become the main character, their brains are literally seeing themselves enacting the behaviors of the hero. Helping others. Solving problems. Being curious. With this logic, encountering different characters in our stories helps hardwire children to be empathetic to others in real life.

Mum Aamna agrees:

At First Time Books, we understand the profound impact reading can have on a child's early development. Personalized children’s books, in particular, offer unique benefits that can enhance learning, growth, and the overall reading experience. In this informative post, we’ll explore five key benefits of incorporating personalized books into your child’s early education journey.

1. Enhances Engagement and Interest:

   • Personal Touch: Seeing their own name and image in a book instantly captures a child's attention. This personal connection increases their interest in the story, making them more eager to engage with the content.
   • Relevance: Personalized stories can be tailored to reflect a child’s experiences, interests, or challenges, making the content more relatable and engaging.

2. Boosts Self-Esteem and Identity Development:

   • Representation Matters: When children see characters that look like them and share their name, it reinforces a sense of identity and belonging.
   • Achievement and Pride: Overcoming challenges within these stories can provide a sense of accomplishment, boosting a child's self-esteem and confidence.

3. Aids in Learning and Cognition:

   • Memory Recall: Personalized content has been shown to improve memory recall. Children are more likely to remember details from a story in which they are directly involved.
   • Language Skills: Engaging with personalized stories can enhance vocabulary and language skills, as children are more inclined to discuss and explore a story that resonates with them.

4. Encourages a Love for Reading:

   • Early Foundation: Cultivating an early interest in books is crucial. Personalized books make reading fun, laying the foundation for a lifelong love of reading.
   • Interactive Experience: These books often encourage interaction, whether it’s spotting their name hidden in illustrations or relating to the character’s journey, making reading a dynamic activity.

5. Creates Meaningful Moments and Memories:

   • Bonding Time: Reading personalized books together can be a special bonding activity for parents and children.
   • Keepsakes: These books often become cherished keepsakes, holding sentimental value as tangible memories of childhood. 

Personalized children’s books are more than just stories; they are tools for education, growth, and creating lasting memories. At First Time Books, we are proud to offer a wide range of customizable books that cater to the unique journey of every child. Explore our collection at www.firsttimebooks.com and discover the perfect book to enrich your child’s reading experience and development.

We’d love to hear from you! How have personalized books impacted your child’s love for reading and learning? Share your stories in the comments below. 📚💖