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Children have become more connected to technology than ever, and this presents challenges in fostering a love of reading in kids. A review published in Global Health Research and Policy investigated the screen time of school-aged children aged 6 to 14. The average screen time of these children was 2.77 hours per day, and 46.6% had a screen time greater than or equal to two hours. Many young children now have their own devices, like tablets and smartphones, and use them daily for entertainment and learning. Screens may take away time from books; however, it’s not impossible to get your child to love reading, and you can use technology to your advantage as well. Here are some tips to help your child embrace the world of books in the digital age:
Make time for reading
Reading with your child is crucial for strengthening your bond and cultivating their development, but it’s not easy to do so when there are so many digital distractions and not enough hours in the day. Make it a point to carve out a specific time for reading with your kids to get them to put down the devices. After you come home from work or after dinner, you can set aside 30 minutes to an hour of reading time. Put the phones or tablets in another room, or use a parental control app like Kaspersky Safe Kids to manage and limit screen time so you can both concentrate on the reading material. Even older kids can benefit from designated reading time with the family; you can enjoy your own books and share your thoughts afterward. It’s a great way to be more proactive about reading and managing screen time.
Explore ebooks and audiobooks
If your child uses a tablet or a phone, you can take advantage of these devices and download ebooks and audiobooks. Ebooks provide easy access to diverse titles on one platform and come with various tools to help your kids expand their vocabulary and comprehension, while vivid audiobook narrations can make “reading” engaging and stimulating. Everand’s ebooks and audiobooks provide access to various genres and topics your kids can explore. A subscription service can also enable you to access titles on various devices or even offline for easy reading anywhere. You can explore great reads written or narrated by famous stars for a high-quality experience; for example, your kids can listen to renowned English actor Stephen Fry narrate Paddington’s adventures in A Bear Called Paddington. If you have a library card, you can access ebooks and audiobooks for free on the Libby platform. It’s similar to borrowing from the library, but with the convenience of the digital age, and it’s easy on the wallet.
Bring kids to the library
Though online platforms can simulate the library experience, nothing beats visiting the real thing. Libraries offer a treasure trove of books and resources your child can explore, all while bringing them out of the house, encouraging socializing, and taking time away from devices. Libraries also often host initiatives like free story times, where kids can hear someone read aloud. Librarians can expertly guide your child towards suitable reads and help parents learn more about what can suit their child’s reading level and preferences. Insights from Parents highlight that kids can also access things like toys, sports equipment, and science tools, all sorts of avenues for stimulation and learning.
Be a role model
Getting your child to read regularly can be hard, but if you lead by example, they may follow in your footsteps. Instead of telling them to read, you can show them that parents can enjoy books too and that they’re important for children. Being a role model is a great way to spark confidence in your kids, as our previous “4 Ways To Boost Your Child’s Self-Confidence” post highlights. If you confidently show how reading can be enjoyable and engaging, your kids will want to experience the joy of it for themselves. This can develop their confidence and love for reading.
Visit the Raising World Children website for more posts and resources on raising kids with cultural mindfulness, self-confidence, and acceptance.
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Author bio: Eloise Brooks is a freelance writer. She focuses mainly on childhood education and literacy and hopes to guide parents and educators in creating a safe and thriving environment for children to learn. Other than writing, she enjoys hiking with her family.
