Struggling to get your kids to read a book? Here are some tips
New data indicates a significant decline in reading for fun among children and teenagers compared to previous decades. Experts suggest that while digital consumption remains high, deep engagement with long-form content like novels is decreasing.
Why it matters
The shift in reading habits has implications for literacy development and the cognitive benefits associated with sustained narrative engagement.
“She had a mom who reads, both parents who read to her, she enjoyed being read to, she loves narrative, she does pretty well in school,” Silcoff told The Current .
“And yet picking up a book — rather than picking up a device or whatever — really didn't seem to come naturally to her.”
Two years ago, as an experiment, Silcoff offered her daughter $100 to read a novel .
It worked. Her daughter read the book, then read another for free. But when it came to a third, she switched to an audiobook — and now listens to about one novel a week.
“Books are good, stories are good, narrative is good, and she's still getting it. But boy, is it different than how I grew up reading,” she said.
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