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| In today’s digital age, Screen dominate Simple ways Parents can get kids off Screen and back into Real Books | | | Vijay Garg | 7/2/2025 11:21:19 PM |
| In an age where screens dominate, children are drifting away from physical books. Rekindling a love for reading is not just possible—it’s essential for their growth. With the right environment and approach, parents can help make books exciting again.
In today’s digital age, screens dominate our children’s attention-whether it’s smartphones, tablets, or gaming consoles. Recently, there has been a notable decline in children and teenagers reading for pleasure, with less than half engaging in daily reading compared to previous years. This shift reflects the growing allure of digital entertainment, but it also raises a crucial question for parents: how can we encourage our children to embrace physical books once more?
As a parenting expert, I’ve seen how developing a consistent reading routine can profoundly impact a child’s growth. Reading regularly not only boosts a child’s vocabulary and thinking abilities but also sparks creativity and helps build emotional awareness. The foundation for fostering a love of books is providing a welcoming and positive space where reading feels fun and encouraged.
As digital distractions rise, children’s interest in reading physical books fades. Parenting coach Dr. Pallavi Rao Chaturvedi shares practical tips to reignite their love for reading.
The enduring power of reading aloud
Bringing stories to life by reading aloud together is a proven method to inspire curiosity and a lasting love for books. Many children genuinely enjoy being read to, and parents often cherish these moments as special bonding times. Reading aloud does more than just improve vocabulary and comprehension; it also helps children develop crucial social and emotional skills.
Interactive reading where parents ask questions, encourage predictions, and invite children to participate in storytelling supports brain development and builds habits that last a lifetime. This dynamic exchange strengthens attention spans, cultivates self-regulation, and helps children develop goal-setting abilities. It’s a foundational step in making reading a positive and shared experience.
Understanding the barriers and embracing new opportunities
The most significant hurdle to regular reading is the pervasive presence of screen time, which can easily distract children from books. Additionally, heavy school workloads, extracurricular commitments, and limited access to truly engaging physical books can diminish motivation to read for fun.
Yet, new trends offer exciting opportunities. Social media communities like BookTok, for instance, have made reading more social and interactive, inspiring many young readers to discover new titles and share their enthusiasm with peers. This digital influence is proving instrumental in reviving interest in books amongst younger generations, particularly teenagers. It demonstrates that the desire for connection and discovery can be a powerful driver for reading, even in a digital world.
PRACTICAL WAYS TO ENCOURAGE PHYSICAL READING
Here are actionable strategies to help your child rediscover the magic of physical books:
1. Blend technology with books; don’t ban it
Rather than avoiding screens entirely, integrate digital interests strategically. Introduce book versions of their favorite cartoons, movies, or video games. Comic books, graphic novels, and illustrated stories featuring beloved characters can serve as an accessible gateway to more traditional reading, bridging their digital world with the world of print.
2. Empower your child to be the curator
Allowing children to select books that genuinely appeal to their interests fosters ownership and excitement. Regular visits to libraries or bookstores where they can browse and pick freely encourage exploration across diverse genres, from fantastical graphic novels to fascinating non-fiction. Their choice is paramount in nurturing an intrinsic motivation to read.
3. Make reading a shared and joyful family ritual
Transform reading into a treasured family event with regular story time sessions or themed reading nights. Attending plays or watching movies based on books you’ve read together can also bring stories to life and deepen your child’s connection to the narrative and characters, creating lasting memories.
4. Link books to real-life adventures
Connect stories to everyday activities and experiences. For example, reading about animals before a zoo visit, exploring gardening books ahead of planting projects, or researching historical periods before a museum trip makes reading relevant, tangible, and exciting. This shows them the practical value and fun of reading.
5. Turn reading into an interactive game
After finishing a book, engage your child in creative activities. Encourage them to imagine alternate endings, invent new characters, or even write a sequel. Encouraging children to reflect and respond with open-ended questions transforms reading into an interactive and thought-provoking experience, deepening their engagement with the story.
6. Keep books prominently accessible
Make physical books readily available and enticing. Offer them during idle times-such as waiting rooms, car rides, or before bedtime-instead of immediately handing over electronic devices. Having books strategically placed and easily reachable encourages spontaneous reading and makes it a natural option.
7. Build consistent, short reading sessions
Start with brief daily reading habits to gradually build interest and stamina. Begin with comic strips, short stories, or a chapter a day. For older children, pairing a book with its movie or TV adaptation can enhance engagement and provide an incentive to read the source material.
8. Explore kid-friendly news and book communities
For teenagers, introduce them to age-appropriate news editions, captivating literary magazines, and popular book recommendations on social media platforms like BookTok. Engaging with online book communities can keep their reading fresh, exciting, and connected to their peers’ interests.
Reading is foundational to a child’s holistic growth and development. Regular readers tend to develop stronger language skills, enhanced concentration, greater empathy, and a broader understanding of the world. Children who develop strong reading habits tend to excel in school and carry a love of learning throughout their lives. By fostering a warm and encouraging atmosphere around books, parents can inspire children to embrace reading as an enjoyable part of life. Through shared reading, choice, real-world connections, and embracing new trends, we can help children rediscover and cherish the enduring joy of physical books.
Author is a Retired Principal Educational columnist Eminent Educationist street kour Chand MHR Malout Punjab |
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