Fathers are being complacent in reading to their kids, according to a study. Book Trust, a charity organization advocating reading in UK, recently published the result of a research conducted, on their behalf, by The Ipsos Mori, about the reading habits of fathers to their children in comparison to mothers.
The study covered over 2,500 parents aged 15 and above, with children ages under one to five in Great Britain.
Research shows that among parents aging 15 to 24 years old, only 25 percent of dads read to their kids, as compared to the 61 percent of moms who read to their kids daily. To know that dads don't read as often as moms do is quite disconcerting because children learn well when both parents contribute together.
There are certain factors that can affect the glaring disparity between moms and dads, one of which is technology.
Diana Gerald, chief executive of Book Trust, attributes the huge gap of readers between fathers and mothers to modern technology. Dads are more likely to use electronic devices such as smartphones and tablets and browse the Internet or social media, rather than read to their children.
Gerald sees this as a problem to the development of children's desire to learn. She adds that the habit will be copied by children and they will more likely spend more time on these devices, rather than read.
Gerald even recommends that parents start reading to infants as early as nine months through picture books, because reading will have a huge impact not only in children's literacy skills but also in their holistic learning in school. For infants, reading will make them remember the sounds or visualize pictures from picture books, which will be the foundation for their language skill formation.
Another problem that parents will encounter is the high probability that their kids will leave primary school without knowing how to read. According to Gerald, this is the reason why she wants to get both parents involvement in reading to their children, because statistics show that one out of every five kids in primary school cannot read.
"Reading with your child is fun, and a great way to spend time together. Sharing books with your child helps open their eyes, minds and hearts to different people and situations. If a parent reads to their children every day they will be almost 12 months ahead of their age group when they start school. Even reading to them three to five times a week gives them a six-month head-start over those who are read to less often," Gerald explains.
The research was released in time for the National Bookstart Week, which aims to encourage families to read. The event will be held in different locations such as bookshops, child care centers, libraries, and nurseries to motivate dads, moms, and kids to read.
The organization will be giving away free copies of Giles Andreae's "Rumble in the Jungle" and offer numerous events such as an interactive jungle, coloring activities, and storytelling.
