What are ebooks?
Ebooks are books in electronic format.
Ebooks for children have words and pictures, just like traditional print books. They might also have interactive elements like recorded narration, music, sound effects, animations, games, inbuilt dictionaries and so on.
You read ebooks on ereaders like Kindle or Kobo, on computers, or by using apps on tablets and smartphones.
What are the benefits of ebooks for children?
Well-designed ebooks can help children learn language and develop social, listening and thinking skills, just like print books.
Ebooks can also be a different and fun way for children to enjoy reading, experience stories and learn information. For example:
- Illustrations, animations and games in ebooks can help children understand and recall story details.
- Music in ebooks can help children understand characters and plot developments.
- Dictionaries and narration in ebooks can help children learn new words and expand vocabulary.
Ebooks can help beginning readers and children who struggle to read independently, including children with learning difficulties. For example, these children can listen to narration while they follow the words. They can also use interactive features to better understand stories.
Ebooks can sometimes motivate reluctant readers.
You can start reading print books with babies as early as you like – the earlier the better. A good print book gives you both something to hold, share and enjoy together. But it’s best to avoid reading ebooks with children under 2 years. Ebooks are unlikely to have benefits for this age group and aren’t recommended.
What are the downsides of ebooks for children?
Ebooks can distract children from reading if animations, sound effects and games don’t work well with the text. For example, if ebooks have games that don’t relate to their stories, children might just want to play the games rather than read the stories.
Also, interactive features can sometimes make it harder for children to understand stories. For example, this can happen if there are sounds or animations that don’t relate to the story.
Reading and storytelling with your child promotes brain development and imagination, teaches your child about language and emotions, and strengthens your relationship. That’s why it’s good to read with your child every day. It’s fine to share a mix of print and ebooks.
How to choose ebooks for your child
When you’re choosing ebooks for your child, look for the same qualities that you’d look for in print books.
Story and language qualities
- Well-told stories about things your child relates to or is interested in
- A wide variety of words
- Funny, engaging rhymes that help your child learn language
- Information that’s pitched at the right level for your child
- Diverse characters and stories
Interactive features
Do the following features work well with the text to illustrate the story? Do they help your child understand the story or learn something new?
- Sound
- Animation
- Games
Customisation
- Can you turn off the narration so you can read the book and talk about it with your child?
- Does the ebook have a read-only mode so your child can listen to the story without the interactive features?
How to read and use ebooks with your child
Your child will get the most from ebooks when you read them together.
Tips and ideas
- Hold your child close or on your knee while you read so your child can see your face and the book.
- Move slowly from page to page. This gives your child time to look at the images and text.
- Explain the meaning of unfamiliar words or images, talk about the story, focus on the things your child is most interested in, and ask open-ended questions. For example, ‘How do you think the dinosaur is feeling?’ or ‘What do you think will happen next?’
- Try to focus on the story or information rather than on the device. You can do this by connecting interactive elements to the story. For example, ‘Why do you think there’s happy music?’
- Watch for signs your child is getting distracted or losing interest. It might be time to put the ebook away or try a different kind of book.
- Avoid ebooks at bedtime. Traditional print books are better because they help your child relax and get ready for sleep. And if your child is reading an e-book, encourage them to have an hour of screen-free time before sleep.
Reading ebooks together gives you the chance to help your child learn to use ebooks in a positive way. For example, you can show your child how to swipe, scroll, click on words to hear their meanings, turn narration on and off, and use other interactive features appropriately.
How to choose an ereader for your child and family: tips
Ereaders come in 2 types:
- ‘do-it-all’ devices like tablets
- ‘just for reading’ devices like Kindle and Kobo.
These questions can help you choose the right device for your child and family.
What do you want to use the device for?
Kindle or Kobo devices are designed mainly for reading. They’re usually not as responsive to touch as tablets, and their screens refresh more slowly. You can do more things on a tablet. For example, you can play games, use apps and watch videos. If you want your child to just use the device for reading, a Kindle or Kobo is less distracting.
How old is your child?
Young children whose fine motor skills are still developing might find it easier to use ‘tap and swipe’ touchscreens on tablets. The controls on devices like Kindle and Kobo are harder for very young children to use.
Will you be using the device to do a lot of reading?
Devices like Kindle and Kobo have screens that are more comfortable to read because they use a technology that mimics ink on paper. Tablets have backlit screens that are associated with increased eye strain. If you’re using a tablet, smartphone or computer, it’s a good idea to turn down the brightness to prevent eye strain.
Do you want to borrow ebooks from your local library?
If you want to borrow ebooks from your local library, you can do this with tablets or Kobo. Kindle uses a file format that isn’t supported by Australian library systems.