How Pokemon Games Help Kids Learn to Read

If you've been a parent for any length of time, chances are you have heard of Pokemon. Created by Nintendo, the Pokemon franchise boasts a very successful line of products that kids love. Parents can use this great line of games and toys to their advantage. Believe it or not, Pokemon games are a great way to help kids learn to read.

It is common sense that kids will learn to read faster when they have some motivation for reading. However, even parents who read books to their children on a daily basis will often get a disinterested response from kids. Some books just aren't engaging enough to get a child's attention.

Games are different. Kids love games. Pokemon is fascinating to children; the idea of training cute little creatures for battle is incredibly addictive. And the wide range of products helps hold a child's interest in them.

As a parent, you can use this fascinating line of products to motivate your child to read. Many of the Pokemon products have text that is simple for a child to read, and enhances the child's experience with the product. Here are some examples.

Pokemon video games
The Pokemon product line includes many video games, from classics such as Pokemon Red Edition and Pokemon Green Edition, to the newer Pokemon hits. All of these games contain rich story lines that engage young readers. The dialog is simply written and kids love to follow along with the story. Younger kids will constantly ask parents to read the dialog to them, but as your children begin to develop their reading skills, these story lines become a great way for your kids to learn to read.

Pokemon trading cards
The Pokemon trading card game has been around for quite a while, and the product is still very successful. Kids love collecting the cards and using them to battle against each other in tournaments or casual games with friends. And some kids collect them just to read and look at. The simple rules are easy for a child to read and understand, and each card has text that describes the powers and statistics of the pictured Pokemon. Your children will love reading the cards and learning about the new and exciting Pokemon they find in the card packs you purchase. Even the names of the Pokemon are fun to read and memorize.

Pokemon manga books and storybooks
Your local bookstore, such as Barnes & Nobles, probably carries several Pokemon titles. There are storybooks written for young readers, and manga books. The storybooks have great plot lines similar to the Pokemon cartoons. They use simple enough language for beginning readers and feature characters kids know and love. Likewise, the manga books are very entertaining for kids. These comic books have pictures in addition to text. The pictures help younger readers follow the story, and the comic-style text is simple for them to sound out as they learn to read.

If you want to help your kids learn to read, the Pokemon products are a great way to encourage them. You'll have as much fun playing with Pokemon games, books, and cards as your kids will. And soon your kids will learn to read them to you.