Page 25 - FWG Issue 2 March 2025

Today’s Child

RAISING

READERS

IN A

DIGITAL

WORLD

B Y LA UREN FISCHER

creens are everywhere these Start early with print books – somewhere they can grab a book and
days, competing for our children’s Print books can make reading feel special settle in. When books are easy to reach,
attention. Yet, books offer from the very start. There’s something reading feels like a natural choice, just part
Ssomething unique – they spark calming about holding a book, turning of what they do at home.
curiosity, bring comfort, and unlock worlds the pages, and exploring illustrations.
of imagination and insight. Encouraging By starting with simple printed stories, Set the example
children to reach for a book might take children learn that reading is enjoyable – a Children are quick to copy what they see. If
some extra effort in a digital world, but it’s way to relax and discover. they watch you reading a book or flipping
a journey worth taking. Whether they’re through a magazine, they’ll see reading
toddlers clutching their first picture book Create a comfy reading spot as something worth doing. Whether it’s a
or primary school children diving into A cosy corner with a basket of books can novel, recipe book, or newspaper, showing
adventure stories, here’s how to make work wonders. It might be a quiet spot by them that reading is part of your day lets
reading a treasured part of family life. the window or a beanbag in their bedroom them know it’s something to enjoy, too.

Fourways Gardens • 23 • March 2025