Why Reading Matters

If we look around our home, park or school, we will notice a familiar scene: the children glued to their phones and scrolling endlessly through short videos or playing games. Screens have become their constant companion. While technology has its own benefits, it has quietly replaced something far more valuable-reading.

Many children nowadays struggle to even read their school books, not to mention books outside of their course. The parents should have also noticed this. It is difficult for the parents to even help them sit through a few pages. Once enjoyable reading has now become a burden to these young children. This might seem like a small change but this change reflects how today's children engage with information and imagination. 

A decade ago, reading books was a common part of our daily lives. We used to borrow books, buy books and get lost in those stories. We would discuss these stories with our friends and relish the whole experience. Story books like Harry Potter, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and Princess Diaries must have been the key that opened the portal to the world of books for many avid readers. It is sad to see such a culture fading away. Short-form content has taken over the world, affecting children and teens. These contents train the youths to expect quick entertainment rather than sharp focus. 

Research supports this worrying trend. A study by Naomi S. Baron and Anne Mangen (2021) highlights that long-form reading, whether literary or informational, is declining and digital technologies are the cause of reduced reading. This means that the problem not only ends with children but also continues into higher education. When students grow up without strong reading habits, it becomes harder for them to handle detailed texts later in life.

The effects of this shift are rather concerning. Reading is not just about understanding words written on paper. Reading builds concentration, improves vocabulary and also develops critical thinking. When children read regularly, they learn patience, empathy and learn imagination. They began to develop creativity. They begin to think deeply, ask questions, form their own opinions, and be critical.  Since the brain develops rapidly during adolescence, reading can help children a lot in the long term, making their brains sharp and focused.

In order to fix this, parents and teachers need to create a reading-friendly environment for their children. They should encourage the children to develop small yet consistent habits. The key is to make reading feel enjoyable, not like a punishment for the children. Children should be given books that match their interests. Not every child will enjoy the same genre. There are vast options to choose from. When children find something they enjoy, reading becomes easier and more natural for them.

 If the children see their parents scrolling on their phones all day, they will do the same. But if they see adults reading books, they are more likely to develop similar habits. The screen time needs to be balanced. Encouraging reading is not just about improving academic performance. If we allow reading to fade away, we are risking raising a generation that struggles to focus, imagine and think deeply. By bringing back the habit of reading, it can have a powerful impact on the future of these children.