My heart sank when I saw the number of raised hands in the class. Only 2! I was ready to cry.
This was the response to my question asking how many of them had read the story. They had all watched the movie.
To get my class interested in reading, I would often discuss some story and then recommend similar books to them.
It was a slow start but gradually it picked up pace. More and more kids would get the new book they had recently bought to show it in the class.
It was a beginning. Sometimes I’d let them read aloud a portion from it in the class or narrate the story if they had finished reading.
Getting the children to read is a herculean task these days. Their impatience and restlessness, combined with the digital distractions, is a nightmare for parents and educators.
But it’s not that difficult, if you think about it. A balance has to be created by the adults, making it a win-win for both parties.
Here’s how it can be done.
- Pick a book which has a screen adaptation.
Explore books with screen adaptations. The book has to be age appropriate or it can turn off the reluctant reader.
For the younger readers, choose from Peppa Pig to Fantastic Mr. Fox, the Wizard of Oz, Anne of Green Gables, Jungle Book, Matilda, or Winnie the Pooh. For the older kids, famous book-series like Harry Potter, the Chronicles of Narnia, Famous Five, Percy Jackson, The Maze Runner and Sherlock Holmes, to name a few.
Ask them to read first if they want to watch.
- Create limits for each activity.
The readers will want to finish the book and the watchers will want to only watch. Not happening.
Establish time limits to maintain balance. Or you can set page limits. Something like, they’ve to finish half the book before they can watch it, for starters.
You’ll have to figure out what works with your child but setting some cut-offs and targets will ensure better results.
- Encourage engagement.
To get the non-readers to keep reading, ask them the story or the progress they’ve made. They’ll want to discuss it with you.
Talk to them about the characters and settings, answer their queries. Discuss other books by the author or similar books.
This constant interaction will keep their interest alive and moving.
- Make it a family activity.
The more the merrier. If you’ve read the book, then pique their interests with guessing games or activities.
If you haven’t read the book, do it together. This will motivate the child further.
And for all those elder siblings or other family members who have read the book or know about it, please don’t spoil the story by revealing the end or giving out the twist.
- Have a book club movie night.
Create a small book club with a few friends of your children to increase their involvement. Let them select a book and read that one.
Once the book has been read by all, organise a movie night for them. Or you can even have it as a family activity.
Imagine their joy when they see the characters they had read about come to life. It’s beyond comparison.
This celebration will make the journey more pleasant and exciting. The child will feel like reading again.
- Create adaptation challenge.
My friend had organised a Chhota Bheem theme get-together for all the kids who had read that particular book. The kids got to dress up as a character from the book.
There was an impromptu play-act session also to create more excitement.
It was a big hit.
After that, getting the children to read was a cakewalk.
Benefits of the Reading & Watching Combo
This reading and watching combo is a sure shot way to get children to read and reduce their dependency on the screen. It’s engaging, entertaining and enjoyable.
It improves their literacy skills immensely. The more they read, the better their vocabulary and comprehension improves. Their imagination gets fuelled.
It improves that emotional intelligence as they get to experience the whole range of emotions and feelings. They learn to connect the emotion with the context when they see on screen about something they had read earlier.
It’s gently and subtly reduces the screen time. By being engaged in actively reading, they unconsciously stay away from the screens, which is good. I used to let my kids read during the week and watch during the weekend.
Reading allows their creativity to fly. Ask them to draw or describe the character from the book they’re reading. Give their imagination a free rein. Then when they watch it come alive onscreen, they’ll have something to talk about.
Yes, some of the screen adaptations are big disappointments. The kid may feel let down.
Before they get demotivated or put off, discuss it with them. What did they not like, what did not match their expectations, which character was not portrayed well, was the story different from what they had read in the book, etc.
This will help them see the limitations without putting them off. Guide them quickly towards the next book to keep the tempo going.
Why It’s Worth The Effort
Children have to be guided and shown how to do things. It’s hectic for the parents balancing work and home. But it’s for your child’s future.
No point sending them to school to get educated if they can’t read effortlessly.
Handing them the gadget is easy but remember the downside of giving unchecked access.
Reading will slowly and gradually build their cognitive skills, enabling them to think critically, and be able to distinguish between what’s right and wrong.
Their improved vocabulary and comprehension will enhance their language skills.
It will also boost their confidence and self-esteem when they see the difference in the amount of extra knowledge they have gained.
And the best part is you’re not stopping them from watching the movie or series; instead you’re all for it. This will reduce the resentments or arguments about restricting their screen time.
Conclusion
It’s all about maintaining a balance. It’s the best course of action given that it’s not possible to completely detach them from the screens and gadgets. So the next best thing is to work around it.
Reading and watching provide a meaningful way to reduce the excessive engagement with gadgets while promoting literacy and improving the knowledge base.
It’s a winning combination which is fun, creative and educative.
Pick a book and its movie adaptation today and take your child on an enchanting journey; the highlight is the digital detox!
