8 simple ways parents can get kids off screens and back into real books

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?advertisementAs 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 aloudBringing 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.advertisementInteractive 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 opportunitiesThe 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 READINGHere are actionable strategies to help your child rediscover the magic of physical books:1. Blend technology with books; don't ban itRather 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 curatorAllowing 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 ritualTransform 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 adventuresConnect 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.advertisement5. Turn reading into an interactive gameAfter 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 accessibleMake 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 sessionsStart 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 communitiesadvertisementFor 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. Trending Reel

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Yahoo

11 minutes ago

• Yahoo

Watch: UN Security Council meets amid Israel-Iran war

The United Nations Security Council met on Friday to discuss the war between Israel and Iran, which has entered its second week. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres has called for 'immediate de-escalation leading to a ceasefire.' Hanging over the conflict is the possibility of the United States joining Israel's campaign to destroy Iran's nuclear enrichment program. President Trump on Thursday said he would decide whether to bomb Iran within two weeks. Russia and China, also permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, condemned Israel's strikes on Iran following a call between leaders of the countries on Tuesday. The Security Council meeting was slated to begin at 10 a.m. ET. Watch the replay above. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

South Wales Guardian

11 minutes ago

• South Wales Guardian

Beth Mead urges England to feed off the pressure of European title defence

The Lionesses squad travelling to Switzerland this summer is very different from the one that lifted the trophy on home soil at Euro 2022. Seven members of Sarina Wiegman's group have never played in a major tournament and England will be defending a major title for the first time. 'There's a little bit of pressure that comes with it but I think it's a free adrenaline injection, pump it into your veins,' said forward Mead, who won the Golden Boot after scoring six goals at the 2022 Euros, where she was also named player of the tournament. Two weeks to go until we begin our #WEURO2025 journey 💫 — Lionesses (@Lionesses) June 21, 2025 'We've been there, we've done it, we need to bottle that energy up and (bring) what we brought last time. It's a completely different tournament and teams look very different but we know what we're about and we've got to concentrate on being the best version of ourselves.' England face Jamaica in a Leicester send-off on June 29 before travelling to their Switzerland base in Zurich. They kick off their title defence against France on July 5, then take on 2017 champions the Netherlands. The group stage concludes in St Gallen against Wales, who have qualified for the first major tournament in their history. Mead is relieved team-building activities this time around have not included a camping trip – a memorable Lionesses excursion under Phil Neville in 2019. Training is hotting up! 🌡️🏃‍♀️ — Lionesses (@Lionesses) June 20, 2025 'I think I slept two hours and then (got woken up) by the geese around the complex,' Mead recalls. 'That wasn't my favourite team-building activity. I think Toni Duggan snuck back into the hotel for the night instead.' The group did host a movie night at their last camp – the thriller Sinners, starring Bournemouth minority owner Michael B Jordan – and this time opted for a graffiti painting session to, Mead notes, 'express yourself' and 'show how bad we all are at art'. Much has also changed in Mead's personal and professional life since lifting the trophy in 2022 – her mother, June, died from ovarian cancer the following winter, shortly after Mead was named Sports Personality of the Year. This year, she lifted the Champions League trophy alongside her Arsenal team-mates for the first time. 'I feel like I'm in a good place individually,' Mead added. 'I know I've got an amazing team around me. I've got very good connections with players in the team. 'All I can do is do my best. We can all only do our best and take our chances when we're given them. 'I'd like to think I've got quite a good amount of experience to head into the tournament and I've played against a lot of the teams that we're going to come up against and hopefully that experience can help within the game. 'But I'm excited. I'm a little bit older than I was last time, but it doesn't take the excitement away and it still feels like a first tournament even though I've obviously been very lucky to go to quite a few. 'This is a new challenge, new competition, very different teams. I can't wait to get started.'

Daily Mirror

11 minutes ago

• Daily Mirror

Vicky Pattison makes 'worried' admission as she gives update on 'struggles'

Vicky Pattison has opened up about her "struggles" with food and admitted she has concerns over the use of weight loss jabs. The former Geordie Shore star has previously been open about her battle with "disordered eating" Vicky Pattison has candidly shared her "struggles" with food while voicing her concerns about weight loss jabs. The former queen of the jungle, known for her victory in I'm A Me Out of Here!, has previously discussed her battles with "disordered eating". The reality TV star revealed that she used to count how many blueberries were in her porridge, "restrict calories" and "weaponise exercise" during her lightest periods. Conversely, Vicky confessed to times when she "ate what she wanted" but was then "cruel" to herself. ‌ It comes as Vicky, 37, admits she has her reservations about people using weight loss jabs. The Geordie Shore alum says people using the jabs feels like a "step back" for body positivity. ‌ She expressed her "worries" about the contents of these jabs in an interview with The Sun, questioning: "I've seen women online losing weight on the skinny jabs and they're feeling great and have new-found confidence, and that sounds amazing for them, but do we really know what we're putting into our bodies? No. "I don't think we've got enough information about them, have we? That's what I'm always worried about. It feels like a bit of a step back." Vicky says it is an "absolute shame" that after years of "embracing the body positivity movement" people have started saying "I never wanted to be curvy actually, I always wanted to be skinny." Although the star has "no judgement" towards anyone deciding to take weight loss jabs. She added: "As someone who's spent her life struggling with noise around food and what people thought about us, being the big girl and all the rest of it, whatever makes people happy is none of my business." Currently in England and Wales, doctors have the option to prescribe weight loss injections on the NHS. Treatments such as Saxenda, Wegovy, and Mounjaro can be prescribed, with the latter requiring a specialist's involvement. ‌ Vicky, who tied the knot with Ercan Ramadan last year, shared three pictures of herself at different weights on Instagram in August. She used the post to open up about how she felt about her body. In the post, the celebrity penned: "I used to be cruel to the girl in the first photo... I let her eat what she wanted but I constantly berated her. Called her names and made her feel worthless. Just because of a number on a scale." ‌ The conversation continued as she reflected: "I was cruel to the girl in the second photo as well but in an entirely different way. I would count how many blueberries I put on my porridge, restrict my calories and weaponise exercise. That girl was a nervous wreck." Vicky acknowledged that she was "unhappy" when looking at both photos. She confessed that during those times, she combated "anxiety" and "disordered eating." Adding to her confession, she stated: "Both of these extremes didn't bring me happiness- the unhealthy practices I put my body through over the years brought me anxiety, disordered eating and low self worth. "And even though I'd like to think I've changed and I'm in a better place now- these pictures always serve as a stark reminder of what I put myself through. And what I don't want other women to put themselves through."