Board-Certified Behaviour Analyst, Fifi Kiwan, discusses the decline of reading amongst children and its importance to their development.
In today’s fast-paced world, the bedtime story ritual is becoming a thing of the past, especially among Gen Z parents. A recent survey reveals a concerning trend: many young parents are shying away from reading to their children. With the busy demands of modern life, parents often cite a lack of time or a personal aversion to reading as reasons for this shift. Unfortunately, this reluctance to engage with books is having a ripple effect on the next generation.
In fact, the survey found that only a third of five-to-10 year-olds read for fun, a significant drop from over half of children who enjoyed reading in 2012. The statistics don’t lie – this decline is closely linked to the habits of their parents. Many Gen Z parents, who are now in their late 20s to early 30s, grew up in a digital age where screens were always at their fingertips. For them, reading can feel more like a chore than a cherished pastime.
The reality is that these parents often lead extremely busy lives, juggling work commitments, social lives and the responsibilities of raising children. Longer work hours and the rising cost of living mean that parents are frequently stretched thin. In this environment, it’s easy to see why reading might fall by the wayside. After all, when you’re exhausted after a long day, curling up with a book may not seem as appealing as scrolling through social media or binge-watching a favourite show.
Moreover, the allure of screens is hard to resist. From tablets to smartphones, children are surrounded by technology that often takes precedence over traditional reading. Parents too find themselves glued to their devices, leading to less quality time spent together. The irony is that while technology offers instant entertainment, it can also create a disconnect between parents and their children, depriving them of meaningful interactions.
This shift in priorities is concerning because reading is not just an enjoyable pastime; it’s fundamental to a child’s development. Early exposure to books helps build language skills, cognitive development and a love for learning. When parents neglect to read to their kids, they miss out on creating essential bonding moments that foster emotional connections.
Gen Z parents are the first generation to grow up in a world where technology is integrated into every aspect of life. While this offers convenience and access to information, it can also lead to a lack of engagement in more traditional forms of interaction. The result? A generation of children who may not appreciate the joy of a good book, simply because their parents didn’t model that behaviour.
