In an age where technology is everywhere, it’s important to get back to basics and encourage screen-free activities, especially among children and teenagers. What role does reading play in their lives? Here are some insights.
Young People and Reading: Some Statistics
Books are true fountains of knowledge and invaluable treasures that helpbroaden our horizons and entertain us.
The magazine *J’aime lire* conducted a survey on children aged 7 to 11 and reading.
84% of them say they enjoy reading; in fact, it’s their fourth favorite activity after playing outside, watching TV, and playing video games. This percentage is even slightly higher among girls and younger children (ages 7 to 9).
Children enjoy reading for a variety of reasons, including:
- The joy of learning new things and discovery (42%);
- Being able to follow characters they like (39%);
- To have fun (39%);
- Being able to relax (37%);
- The opportunity to use their creativity and take their mind off things (34%);
- The possibility of being alone (19%).
According to the survey, vacations seem to be a good time for reading. In fact, 92% of them say they read during vacations, 89% on weekends, 85% in the evening, 85% at school or the library, and 71% after school. On the other hand, only 1 in 3 children reads in the morning before leaving for school.
As for teenagers, 81% of 7- to 25-year-olds read an average of 5 books for pleasure, and 76% of them read 2 books for school or work over the past 3 months.
A study by the National Book Center (CNL), conducted among 1,500 young people aged 7 to 25 between late January and early February 2022, notes that young French people still enjoy reading, despite a decline in reading habits during adolescence that generally occurs after they start middle school.
The findings are clear: the older children get, the less they read. Primary school students read an average of 8.4 books for pleasure over the past three months, compared to 5.3 for middle school students and 3.4 for high school students. The survey notes that reading for pleasure tends to decline sharply after age 12, particularly among boys: 68% of boys aged 13–15 read, compared to 81% of girls in the same age group.
This downward trend is largely due to competition from screens. On average, 7- to 25-year-olds read for 3 hours and 14 minutes per week, compared with 3 hours and 50 minutes spent in front of a screen and 2 hours and 50 minutes online each day.
On the other hand, the CNL notes that screens can encourage young people to read. In fact, 58% of readers say they have read a book after watching a movie or TV series. Furthermore, e-books are favored by 55% of younger generations, who are also turning to audiobooks and podcasts.
The Benefits of Reading for Children and Teens
Reading is beneficial at any age, but especially for young children. Here are some of its benefits.
Develop language skills
Reading is a stimulating and beneficial activity that helps develop the language skills of children and teens, while improving their general knowledge and expanding their vocabulary. A child’s brain has a great capacity to absorb information and greater cognitive abilities than those of an adult. It is estimated that a child who reads daily—whether on their own or with an adult’s help—is about a year ahead of their peers.
Enhancing creativity
In addition, immersing themselves in a good book allows young children to travel and let their imaginations run wild, thereby fostering their creativity and curiosity. Books and stories are also an excellent way for children to understand the world around them and the events of life.
An educational tool
Reading allows children and teenagersto learn many things from the comfort of their own homes. It enables them to discover and explore new cultures, new countries, and new animals…
Stimulate the brain
Whether it’s high school teens or younger children in school, their days are often filled with stress. Reading helps reduce anxiety and relieve the stresses of daily life by letting go of one’s problems.
Furthermore, since the brain is a muscle in its own right, it is beneficial to stimulate and exercise it regularly. Studies have shown that reading reduces the risk of cognitive decline by 32%, and that people who read are less likely to develop brain diseases.
To improve sleep
Since reading is a relaxing activity, it helps children and teenagers fall asleep more easily at night. In addition, it aids memory retention, improves sleep quality, and prepares the body for sleep.
In conclusion, reading is an activity that should be encouraged at every stage of life, especially during childhood and adolescence, which are formative years. It should have a place in young people’s lives, alongside extracurricular activities, which are also essential to their healthy development.
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Whether you’re an organization, a school, a club, a business, or an individual, contact Kidcab today to request a quote! We’ll safely take your children and teens to their destinations.
