While being interviewed last week, a student posed the question, “Do you think kids are reading less these days?” To her question, my answer was a YES. There is a growing concern among teachers and parents, the phenomenon of children reading significantly less, and less in-depth, than previous generations. For the last 15 years, the available technology has resulted in a rapid decline of reading. 

 

• The Internet: A child’s attention span is shorter when they are told to read. Instead, they can play a game or watch a funny short video. Because of this, the internet is more appealing to kids than reading. 
• Time consuming: When children are given reading assignments, it becomes a slow and tedious task.
• No fun: If you are not a Reading Role Model, reading can also be a huge task.
• Trendy Text: There is less participation if children are given books that are not related to the children.
• Engaged Text: If your students are not engaged in the text they are not going to show any interest in it.

 

How Can We Improve Our Readers? 

• Reclaim Reading for Pleasure: Encourage children to choose their reading material. By shifting reading for marks to reading for meaning children will feel empowered to pursue their own reading interests.
• Create Literacy-Rich Environments: Reading will become part of the culture when cozy corners, accessible shelves, and book displays become the norm at both home and school.
• Offer Diverse, Relevant Collections: The best way to engage children in reading is to offer books that mirror their own lives, when they see themselves in books they are more likely to become readers.
  Model the Habit: Seeing the adults around them read will help children normalize the practice.
• Protect Sustained Reading Time: Focusing on reading for 15 or 20 mins without any interruptions is a way to build reading stamina. 
  Integrate Digital: Positively Technology can help if used in the right way (e.g. e-books, audiobooks, reading games). 

 

Encourage Discussion, Not Just Assessment Worksheets are less engaging than book discussions. 

Ask the children questions like: What surprised you? 

Did you connect with any of the characters? 

Would you recommend this book? Why? 

Discussion deepens engagement and is more beneficial than completing worksheets.

 

The Bigger Picture:
We don’t want to fight reading apps and games; we want to make reading important again. When kids find stories that interest them and represent their lives, reading becomes an opportunity instead of an obligation. We need to cultivate a community reading culture if we want to build better, more empathetic, and more confident learners. Children are not reading less because they don’t want to. Thoughtful spaces, relevant books, and adults who model reading are the ingredients that will tip the competition in reading’s favor.

 

Happy Reading!