A layout of comic books
Learning to read is a basic necessity for children to learn. We start off with level one or level two books and go up every level when our reading comprehension gets better.
Once you learn to read as a kid, you get excited to read anything and everything. Some kids love books and others like comics. Sometimes parents want to introduce comics to their kids because they love it themselves.
“I personally love comic books and they’re at an age where they can read. I grew up reading Superman, Captain America, and X-Men.” from Charmaine, a parent who attended a heroes comic book event.
It’s a good start to let kids read something that is visually appealing and fun to read. Comic books also have undertones of emotions and mental health that can be easy to understand for kids, Charmaine agrees.
“I definitely think so because they have the idea of a person dealing with your problems in a different way, and they usually get a non-pilot way. So I definitely think so.”
A psychologist at the University of Nevada and creator of the Superhero Stress Management, Tanya Crabb has incorporated comic books into her therapy sessions.
“Comic books can be an open door into difficult conversations. Comics make tough subjects approachable because superheroes are just like us. They have mental health stuff. They have bad family stuff. They have relationship issues. They make bad choices.”
Kids can learn to understand these issues through their favourite superhero. Crabb gives an example that in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Thor struggles in depression, Iron Man has anxiety, while Jessica Jones has PTSD. In DC comics, Harley Quinn comes from a background trauma which makes her have no boundaries with the Joker.
These superheroes are like us, as people so it can give children the ability to relate with its undertones of emotional support and mental health.
Another parent at the Heros comic book event, Tiffany Edwards says
“I definitely think reading in general helps with mental health and emotions, keeping them focused. I think Comics would help more just because there’s a picture to go with the story. So, if they’re just learning to read they can kind of see what’s happening.”
Parents do take notice of what their children are learning so picking up a comic book can be beneficial for their learning environment as well as understanding their emotions and mental health.
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