B.D. Roe and E.P. Ross write in their book "Integrating Language Arts Through Literature and Thematic Units" that an individual's attitudes toward recreational reading are most often developed in her early and elementary school years. As children grow older and the distractions of social and other recreational activities begin to take up more of their time, reading for pleasure becomes far less of a priority. As video games, smart phones and on-demand television and movies compete for their attention, introducing children to literature above that of basic learn-to-read programs provides for a foundation on which to build the notion that reading is indeed a satisfying recreational activity.
In a 1990 study by the Center of the Learning of and Teaching of Elementary Subjects, Institute for Research on Teaching at Michigan State University, a panel of school teachers and college professors found that literature programs help children develop problem solving and critical thinking skills by gaining knowledge, insights and vicarious experience through the characters in the books that they read. By participating in discussions about what they have read, children begin to explore logical reasoning and cause and effect. Through such discussion, they learn to identify appropriate responses to various issues a character may have confronted and potentially apply the same line of reasoning to their daily experiences.
Literature programs in elementary schools also help children to learn about and explore different cultures, providing a basis for tolerance and understanding. At the same time, children from different cultures may be served by seeing characters in books that are more like them, helping to build confidence and self-esteem. In all cases, children are exposed to characters who may have similar experiences to their own and, consequently, they may feel better about themselves knowing they are not so different.
Recreational reading compliments the educational environment and provides for a measure of independent learning that would otherwise likely not take place. Reading builds vocabulary and comprehension. Early literature programs help develop strong written and verbal communication skills that can help children become successful adults. Starting at an early age places a child in a better posture to comprehend and communicate ideas presented in other areas of learning, including math, science, and social studies.