A pair of recent studies concluded that reading for pleasure among children (specifically eight to ten year olds) has declined to 35% or 39%, the lowest rate in more than twenty years. At the same time, unsurprisingly, smartphone usage by children has risen sharply. Clearly, not a coincidence.
This is very sad news. Some of my happiest childhood moments were spent reading--in a comfy chair, outside under a tree, in the tub (yes, really! though I don't recommend it), or under the covers at night with a flashlight. Again and again, it has been shown that reading promotes empathy, a quality that seems to be in short supply these days. Reading helps children sharpen their cognitive skills, enhances their problem-solving ability, and builds their understanding of the world around them. Young readers also typically have larger vocabularies, which often correlates to their success in school and eventually in life. And did I mention fun? Reading is so much fun! Books keep you company, take you to places you've never been, introduce you to new friends, offer belly laughs or sometimes a good cry. Reading is a skill that offers life-long dividends.
So what can you do to help turn the children in your life into readers? Start by reading aloud to them. Even before babies can follow a story or understand the words, they can begin to experience "reading" as something pleasurable, enjoyed in the lap of someone they love. In my house, reading together continued long after independent reading was achieved. There are some books that beg to be shared out loud--books such as Charlotte's Web, for example, or The Wild Robot.
Give books as gifts; make trips to the library a weekly routine; make sure there are times when TVs and other devices are put aside in favor of books. And perhaps most importantly, let your kids see YOU reading. You're their best role model! It's a win-win for everyone.
January 2025
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