Why reading with your children is still important in today's modern world?
A guide for modern parents and children.
In today’s fast-paced tech-driven world, finding quality time can be challenging. When modern parents struggle to find work-life balance, children also long for attention and bonding.
In that case, screens often dominate our attention, when we all sit together, we are either on our phones or watching TV, which still leaves room for a meaningful connection.
One timeless activity remains a powerful way for families to bond: reading together.
For children and parents alike, gathering around books creates opportunities for learning, imagination and connection.
Today I'll share with you why reading together is still important in today’s time & age:
A shared experience that sparks conversation:
Reading together, whether it’s a picture book a bedtime story, or a chapter from a children’s novel, opens the door to deep and meaningful conversations. Stories prompt questions, reflections and discussion about the characters, their choices, and the events in the book.
These shared moments not only help children develop critical thinking skills but also strengthen the parent-child bond by encouraging open dialogue.
Tip for families:
After reading a chapter or story, take a moment to discuss it with your child. Ask open-ended questions like ‘What would you do if you were in that character’s shoes’?
This not only reinforces the lesson of the story but also gives you a peek into your child’s mind.
Creating tradition and memories:
When families set aside regular time to read together, it becomes more than just a habit – it’s a cherished tradition. Whether it’s a gathering around for a nightly bedtime story or setting aside a Sunday afternoon for book time, these rituals become special memories that last forever.
For children, these moments of shared reading create a sense of safety and comfort. The consistent routine of reading with loved ones can be a grounding experience, especially during busy and stressful times.
Over time, these rituals help solidify the family bond, giving children something to look forward to.
Enhancing imagination and emotional intelligence:
There’s something magical that happens when you sit down with a child and read a story or open up a book. We adults straight go to the words, but children, only see pictures. Their eyes light up, their faces full of wonders as they leave the world around them, and dive into an entirely different universe – whether it’s a jungle full of talking animals a pirate ship on the high sea, or a castle where dragons roam.
Well-written stories have a unique way of transporting children to places they’ve never been to, encouraging them to envision a world where everything is possible.
Did you know? As they listen, they’re not just passively hearing words, they’re actively imagining every scene, feeling the joy, fear, excitement, or even sadness the character experiences.
I’ll share with you one of my experiences, I once read a book about a ‘brave young knight’ with my children, and for days afterwards, they insisted we build a ‘castle’ out of couch cushions. One of them took on the role of the knight, ‘complete with a paper sword, ready to face the dragons’.
It was their way of living out the adventure and making it a part of their world. :)
Provide an emotional comfort & security:
You’ll see, as you settle in, you can feel the world slow down. For new precious moments, it is just the two of you, fully present and the noise of the outside world fades away.
These are the moments that offer not only connection but also emotional comfort and security. For your young ones, this could create a haven, hearing your voice as you bring the story to life, gives them a sense of stability.
Build resilience and problem-solving skills:
Books have an incredible way of teaching life lessons, without us even realising it. As we sit down with our children and dive into stories of brave characters, facing challenges, we are not just sharing an adventure, we are giving them the tools to develop their resilience and problem-solving skills.
I’ve noticed this with my daughter, she was reading ‘The Lost Whale’ by Hannah gold. I also read a couple of chapters with her. The character faced many obstacles, a feeling of losing his mother, staying away from his home, challenges and uncertainty – but through it all, he kept moving forward, finding clever ways to solve his problems.
As the story unfolded, I could see how engaging she was, not just in the plot but also in how the character figured things out.
Stories also provide children with a framework to tackle their problems in a safe and controlled environment. So reading and sitting with them, we are not only sharing a story, we are helping our children build the inner strength they need to navigate their challenges.
So, as you pick your next book, know that you are not just sharing a story, you are building a bond that will last a lifetime. Through every chapter and every conversation, you are strengthening a connection between you and your child.
Happy family reading time!
Much needed blog for parents today