Why I Still Read Physical Books to My 7-Year-Old in a Digital Age
Every evening, after a long day of juggling work deadlines and school runs, there's a special ritual my 7-year-old son and I cherish: our reading time. In an era where my son's classmates boast about their latest iPad games, you might wonder why I’m insisting on the old-school charm of reading from actual books. Here’s why:
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Nurturing His Young Mind: As I watch his eyes light up with every new story, I know that his imagination is at work. Books deepen his comprehension and expose him to richer vocabulary. Plus, there’s a certain discipline in following a storyline from beginning to end.
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Our Bonding Time: After spending hours apart, our reading time bridges our worlds. There’s magic in his little fingers turning the pages and us discovering new worlds together. It's our moment of closeness and connection.
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Building Concentration: I’ve seen him tempted by the instant gratification of screen-based games. But with books, he's learning patience and the joy of immersing himself in a tale without digital distractions.
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Promoting Healthier Sleep: We've tried the e-books before bedtime, but nothing beats the non-glaring pages of a book. Plus, no screen means no blue light, ensuring he gets restful sleep.
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Instilling a Love for Reading: There’s an unmatched joy in watching him caress a book's spine, smell its pages, and gaze at its illustrations. I’m hopeful this love will stay with him for life.
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Igniting Creativity: From fantastical lands to diverse characters, books give him the creative stimulus that no app can.
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Teaching Empathy: Through stories, he learns about varied emotions and challenges, making him a more understanding individual.
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A Break from Screens: His little eyes are always curious, often gazing at screens around him. With books, I ensure he has a healthy balance in his routine.
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Future Scholar: As a mom, I want to set him up for academic success. And research is on my side, linking reading from books to better language skills.
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Building Our Legacy: The books he cherishes now, I hope one day he might share with his own children, creating a legacy of reading.
To fellow modern-day moms navigating the maze of technology and tradition: let's not forget the simple, profound joy of reading a physical book. It's not just about the stories we read, but the memories we create, which I believe will last our children a lifetime. 📚