Hispanic Parents Are Trying to Help their Children read more, but say they are Struggling due to Digital Distractions
• Research conducted for Kindle reveals 76% of Hispanic parents want their children to read more
• Over a third (38%) of parents are spending time reading with their children, but 41% of kids get distracted easily – often by phones, gaming and TV
• As 41% of parents say that visual elements drive their children’s enjoyment of books, as Amazon launches the first Kindle in color for kids – Kindle Colorsoft Kids.
The benefits of developing an early love of reading are well known, but recent reports have shown that literacy rates continue to decline globally. With unprecedented competition for children’s attention, almost half (41%) of parents say distractions from phones, gaming and TV stops their child reading more – according to new research from Amazon Kindle.
The survey of parents with kids aged 7-12 reveals that over three quarters (76%) of parents want their kids to read more, but over a third (38%) say that they read less frequently than they did as a child. The vast majority (96%) of parents frequently attempt to motivate their child to read more, but 1 in 5 (20%) say they lack any interest at all.
Parents aren’t giving up and want to help their child enjoy reading – over a third (38%) spend time reading together, a quarter (25%) limit their time on phones, TV and gaming consoles, and over 1 in 5 (22%) offer rewards and incentives, in the hope that they’ll encourage them to open a book.
“We know parents and caregivers are interested in encouraging consistent reading habits for their children,” says literacy expert Dr. Molly Ness. “They understand the benefits, and they’re invested in helping them. But many of them struggle to find ways to help their child overcome common barriers to reading more, like a lack of confidence, or lack of interest. While every child is unique, there are several tools parents can use to help.”
The survey also revealed that parents are paying attention to their child’s preferences, with almost a third (31%) letting them choose the books they read, 31% helping them find books related to subjects they are interested in, and almost a quarter (23%) dictating the format between physical, audio and eBooks.
With 2 in 5 (41%) parents citing visual elements, such as illustrated books, comics or graphic novels, as key motivators for their child to read, Kindle has released their first color device. Built to be distraction-free, with no apps, browsers or messaging capabilities, it immerses children in a world of stories with the added benefit of an easy-on-the-eyes color display.
Dr. Ness shares her top tips to help parents encourage reading habits:
• Prioritize ARC (Access, Relevancy & Choice) for Increased Reading Time: Kindle Kids provides instant Access to thousands of highly popular books through the included 6–12-month subscription to Amazon Kids+, giving children access to books Relevant to their interests, curiosities, and passions. Finally, Kindle Kids offers unparalleled Choice with its customizable reading experience. When children see their reading choices and identities reflected in what and how they read, they are more likely to dive deeper into reading.
• Consider E-Readers Built Specifically for Kids: When selecting an e-reader for your child, it’s important to consider one that is made specifically for kids. Dr. Ness recommends a Kindle Kids device, such as the new Kindle Colorsoft Kids. It has an easy-on-the eyes color display, and it gives kids the ability to customize their experience. That includes choosing between two cover designs or the book they’d like to read, or adjusting the text font, spacing, or screen brightness that works best for them. When children can customize their device to match preferences and enjoy artwork in full color, it’s easier to see themselves as readers.
• Build Reading Confidence Through Accessibility Features: Over half (64%) of survey respondents said their child uses a reading tool, including text-to-speech technology (22%), adjustable font size (22%), and adjustable lighting (20%). Finding a device with features that work best for your child is crucial, especially for individuals needing personalized accessibility options. Features like adjustable brightness, font size, and spacing reduce the visual burden of reading and allow children to focus more on enjoyment and understanding while reading.
• Let Your Child Be in the Driver’s Seat of Their Reading Choices: First, provide a menu of options: picture book or graphic novel, chapter book or short story? Next, give them a choice of where they would like to read. Devote a special place in your home to reading, like a cozy chair, a blanket fort underneath a table, or even the bathtub! Finally, let them choose how they would like to read, so they can pick the format—physical book, eBook or audiobook—that works best for them.
