I’ve been visiting a home surrounded by books. Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves across three stories hold easily 10,000 volumes on every subject imaginable. There are paintings on the walls and several thousand CDs of great music.
How would it affect someone to be surrounded by books, by music, by art when they’re growing up?
There is a profound effect on kids when they see literature and art truly valued by the adults they look up to. All the reading tutors, piano lessons, dance classes in the world couldn’t make up for a home where the arts are marginalized. Conversely, a home full of art can make up for lots of missed opportunities elsewhere.
If you value books, show it to your kids. If you love art, make art part of your life. Your kids will be forever improved by it.
(And thanks, Mom and Dad.)