
From Screen Time To Page Time: How To Get Kids To Like Books Again
Do you know that smell of a book when you open it for the first time? It smells almost like wood and vanilla mixed, a scent that is hard to describe but instantly recognisable to any book lover.
Do you want your kids to experience that same smell, joy and excitement when they open a new book? Then, you need to transition them from screen time to page time.
With the digital age upon us, kids prefer tablets or cell phones over books. They would rather spend hours playing video games, learning apps, or watching YouTube videos than reading books. Although this may seem harmless, excessive screen time has been linked to numerous negative effects.
So, how can we get our kids to put down their screens and pick up a book instead?
Here are some tips on how to get kids to like books.
1. Limit Screen Time
One of the best ways to balance screen time and page time is to set limits. As parents, it is our responsibility to monitor and control the amount of time our children spend in front of screens. If we’re not going to set boundaries, then who will?
So, how do you limit your child’s screen time?
- Set a time limit: Decide on a reasonable amount of screen time per day and stick to it. This could be an hour or two, depending on your child’s age and schedule.
- Create a no-screens rule during certain times: For example, no screens allowed during mealtime or before bedtime.
- Install or use parental control apps: These apps can help you set time limits and monitor your child’s screen activity.
2. Make Books Accessible
A bookcase full of books – fictional ones, fantasy ones, ones with just pictures and others with lots of words – can be very tempting, even for a child who is not fond of reading.
A great way to get kids to like books is to put them right in front of them. Make books accessible and visible in your home to remind them of their existence.
To make it accessible to your kids, put up a bookshelf in the living room or their bedroom. Fill it up with books of various genres and levels, and display their cover facing out so that they can easily see the books’ titles and covers.
At Tutor Doctor, we recommend exploring these two blog posts featuring book lists for children and teens.
3. Get Excited About Books
Children often mimic their parents’ behaviours and interests, so if you want your child to enjoy books, it starts with you. Show them that you are excited about reading, not just by telling them but by letting them see it.
Instead of watching TV or scrolling through social media, try picking up a book or a magazine while your child is around.
Once your kids realise that you enjoy books, they may become more interested in them as well.
4) Read Together, Everyday
Kids, especially young ones, love being read to. It’s a great bonding experience and shows them the joy of reading.
Reading to and being read to teaches your kid about communication, visualisation, concentration and memory.
To read together, start by setting a specific time every day for reading. It can be before bedtime or even during meal times. To make it even more fun, use different voices and expressions while reading to your child.
5. Take Trips To The Library Or Bookstore
Bookstores and libraries are, luckily, still around. These are great places for kids to explore different genre books.
The most popular genre books for kids are currently:
- Science fiction
- Fantasy
- Mystery
- Fairy Tale/Fable/Folktale
Show your kid where each genre is located in the bookstore and let them get hands-on experience picking out their own books.
You can also make a day of it by sitting in the bookstore or library reading different books together.
6. Create A Reading Nook At Home
This tip goes hand-in-hand with making books accessible.
A great way to get kids to like books is to create a reading nook. Reading nooks are described as small, comfortable places to read.
This can be as simple as putting some pillows and a blanket in the corner of the room with some shelves of books nearby. Or it can be as grand as converting a closet into a cosy reading space.
A designated spot for reading makes it more enjoyable for your child, especially if you decorate it with their favourite characters or themes.
7. Encourage Writing & Storytelling
A big part of reading is also writing and storytelling.
Encourage your child to write their own stories or even just a few sentences every day. This helps them develop their creativity and imagination.
You can also have fun by creating stories together, either by taking turns adding to the story or supplying random words for each other to incorporate into a story.
Writing and storytelling go hand-in-hand with reading, and the more your child practices, the better the reader they will become.
8. Make Reading Rewards
Positive reinforcement is always helpful when it comes to encouraging good habits.
Consider creating a reading rewards system where your child can earn small prizes or treats for reaching certain reading goals. This could be completing a certain number of books, reading for a certain amount of time each day, or even just making an effort to read more.
Rewards can be anything from a special outing to their favourite restaurant or activity to extra screen time or a new book.
Transition From Screen Time To Page Time
Understanding how to get kids to like books starts with making reading a positive and enjoyable part of their daily lives.
However, sometimes, kids may need an extra boost to develop this enthusiasm, especially when they’re struggling with reading skills or understanding.
This is where our tutoring services can make a real difference.
Whether it’s through English tutoring, Afrikaans tutoring, or general language tutoring, our skilled tutors can help!