Fads come and go, but 'Harry Potter' has been "in" since I was in school and that was a while ago… I used to love diving headfirst into the series and immersing myself in everything Hogwarts had to offer. Now I’m excited that my eldest is dipping his toe in too.
While being a 'Harry Potter' fan could be considered a fun hobby, the books are also great for kids' brains. Here are some great reasons to encourage children to take a trip on the Hogwarts Express.
Reading Is Good For You
Many teachers agree that 'Harry Potter' books improve children’s reading skills, which can only be a good thing. The books are exciting to read and as a result, they’re difficult to put down; while we’re used to asking children to put down their devices because they’ve been on them too long, seeing kids addicted to a book is magic!
My son brings his book to school with him every day and if he finishes his work early, he’s allowed to pick up where he left off. He proudly told me that his teacher is impressed with how quickly he’s working his way through the series and it’s great that it gives him a chance to show off his reading ability.
It Strengthens Your Bond
Although I’ve always enjoyed a movie night in with my kids (partly because of the popcorn), I’ve been known to drift off halfway through the film if it’s an animation I’ve seen a million times before. As good as the 'Trolls' movies are, they do get tiresome after a while.
However, when the troll made his appearance in 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone' (which celebrates its 20th anniversary this November), my son and I were both gripped. It’s great that now he’s a bit older, we can enjoy the same movies and bond over Harry and his friends’ antics as they attempt to banish the one who can’t be named.
It Features Great Role Models
As parents, we’re always trying to be great role models for our children; but it’s beneficial if a character in a book can show them how to be a good person too. The 'Harry Potter' books teach kids about the importance of friendship and loyalty (where would Harry be without Ron and Hermione), how to be courageous by standing up to people, and how to be brave by hunting down the Horcruxes to destroy Voldemort. A lot of kids nowadays would site YouTubers as being among their most idolised people, so it’s good to throw a wizard into the mix to show them there’s more to life than unboxing toys.
It’s a good idea to either read the books and watch the films yourself before introducing them to your child. Otherwise, check with a fellow parent "in the know" to see if they think the series would be appropriate for your son or daughter. The books and movies do get scarier as the characters get older, so caution is advised.