“Why is it that our child can scroll on TikTok for hours but struggles to finish even one book?”
That stings a little, doesn’t it? But it’s the reality many parents face. Our kids can consume endless videos, yet they often find it hard to sit down and read for ten minutes. The question is—what are we doing about it?
If we want our children to love learning, we can’t just hope it happens. We need to intentionally build a culture at home that makes reading natural, exciting, and rewarding.
Here are four challenges for us as parents:
1. Be the Reader You Want Them to Be
Kids imitate more than they obey. Monkey see, monkey do. If they never see us pick up a book, why should they believe it matters? Let them catch you reading. Share with them what you’ve learned. If you want to raise readers, you need to be a reader first.
2. Give Them Books That Expand Their World
Not every book has to be difficult or “serious.” The point is to feed their imagination and curiosity. Our kids started with Dr. Seuss, and later, Thammie introduced them to classics that opened their minds. Each book is a doorway to a bigger world—just keep opening doors for them.
3. Reward the Habit, Not Just the Outcome
Celebrate their growth as learners. When they finish a book, mark the moment. It doesn’t have to be expensive—an affirming word, a family tradition, or even a small book allowance works. The point is not bribery—it’s reinforcing that reading and learning are worth celebrating.
4. Design Their World Around Reading
Let’s be honest: if gadgets and social media are always within reach, books don’t stand a chance. That’s why we need to regulate screen time and make books more accessible. Even governments are noticing this—Australia recently passed a law banning social media for teens under 16. But we don’t have to wait for laws to guide our kids. We can parent proactively.
link here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online_Safety_Amendment
If we want our children to grow up confident, thoughtful, and wise, it won’t happen by accident. It will happen because we, as parents, chose to shape their environment and build habits that last.
So here’s the question: are you raising a scroller, or are you raising a reader?
