4 ms·
No one is talking about the impact of kids seeing parents read on phones instead kids seeing parents read on books. When kids see a parent reading a book there'
by nateburke 4y ago
No one is talking about the impact of kids seeing parents read on phones instead kids seeing parents read on books. When kids see a parent reading a book there's no doubt as to what they're doing. They are reading.
OTOH, even if a parent is reading the most wholesome text on the most wholesome app, the fact that they are doing it on a phone admits some possibility of confusion in the eyes of the child observing. There is a nonzero chance that it could be interpreted by the child as the parent watching a video. Or playing a game.
Children have a very powerful desire to imitate, and it should not be ignored in the debate on literacy.
- mbrudd 4y ago100%! We read to our kids a TON from the day they were born -- no tricks or gimmicks, we just read to them. A lot. And they've always seen us reading actual books. YMMV, but our kids learned to read early and well and they both still enjoy reading. A lot.
- vorpalhex 4y agoI'm not sure how you are reading to your kid but mine usually sits on my lap. He knows what is on the screen whether it's words or something else. There's a "nonzero chance" your dead tree book is a game too ala Sudoku.
- roydivision 4y agoGreat point. Children also have a powerful desire to know their parents are paying attention to them. Phones disrupt this as well.
- AlwaysRock 4y agoYup. Kids think my phone === games/videos. They know it can do other stuff but why would anyone use all those boring apps when games or videos are available?
- euroderf 4y agoMy 3yo gets about 10m a day of Khan Academy on my phone. That and video calls to mom are ALL he gets on my phone. Hopefully this is setting expectations for this particular technology/medium.
- noodlenotes 4y agoI don't think the kid even has to be confused about what the parent is doing. If a kid sees a parent on the phone all the time (reading), they want to imitate being on the phone. The fact that the parent is reading is a second level distinction that matters less to young kids, especially when they can more easily imitate "using the phone" by playing games or watching videos.