Most parents and teachers would consider comic books as a distraction or a waste of time for students. However, comics are now gaining attention as a valuable educational tool.
I collected comics before. My favorite was Wolverine and other Marvel titles. Then, there’s Archie Comics and the Bazooka Joe from a bubble gum wrapper. I really love comic series of Bone and the adorable Calvin and Hobbes. I also collected Pugad Baboy.
Reading these comics had its benefits. It taught me to draw figures and how to create a story line. I can express my thought clearly using a series of illustrations. I have a classmate in high school who had excellent Filipino vocabulary and communication skills. He tells me he learned it from reading those old school Filipino comics. And my high school friend who used to read and draw comics while in class now have 4 books published which are available in major bookstores in the country!
Of course, the choice of comic book must be appropriate for the child. Some might be too violent or may have mature contents. Today, there are more comic book titles to choose from that are suited for younger kids.
Below are some of the educational benefits of reading comic books.
- Reading. Early readers will find comics less intimidating. It has fewer words and simple sentences. The pictures will also be more engaging. For children who are reluctant to read, comic books can be a good starting point.
- Vocabulary. Some words are easier to understand through pictures instead of definition from a dictionary. Contrary to some observations, reading comic books does not reduce the vocabulary of the child. It can reinforce it.
- Writing. Making a comic storyboard can teach similar skills as writing an essay. The child can learn sentence structures, punctuation marks, grammar and composition as well.
- Encourages creativity. I know a lot of people who are good in drawing because of comic books. Aside from visual arts, comics also fosters creativity in story writing.
- Develops Visual and Verbal Connections. Pictures can paint a thousand words. Children can learn to summarize a story or a book chapter with a series of illustrations. Or they can also describe in many words a single illustration.
Comic books as an educational tool is gaining popularity in the US. Several news websites like The New York Times, The Washington Post and USA Today wrote about the comics being used in the classroom.
My son doesn’t like comics yet and still prefers reading books. But I know some comic titles he can’t resist. It will be just a matter of time.
