Why Kids Struggle With Reading and Writing Today: Insights From a Writing Mentor

A recent Firstpost news article made me sit up and take notice. It raises concerns about the declining reading habits in the UK; not only does this mean cultural erosion, but it also poses a national security threat. And why? Because a fall in reading habits makes young minds susceptible to disinformation. Disinformation means inaccurate and false information that can mislead people.

If the UK is worried about falling reading habits, it is even more urgent for us in India, where digital dependence is deeper and constant monitoring of children’s content is often out of parents’ hands.

Most parents who approach me to mentor their children share this concern that their children don’t like to read and write. It’s the very intrusive nature of gadgets and social media that has crept into our lives; something that I’ve discussed in my previous write-up on loneliness plaguing our teens.

As a child, I never liked reading books. Being a slow learner, I had a hard time reading books, but I kept at it as I grew older. I would sit with a dictionary and keep at it. Some of my storybooks from my teen years still have the meanings scribbled in them as I sat with a dictionary. I would try to read PG Wodehouse, and the books would be full of pencil scribbles. That was one of the most fulfilling experiences for me, as I found the book hilarious while reading about Jeeves and Wooster while understanding the new words.

As I grew up, I realised I had to challenge myself a little more. During my two-hour journey to college and university (I had to travel 17 stations from my home to my college for five years, changing three modes of transport each way), I started utilising that time to read. I picked up ‘boring’ books like those on finance or even fiction, and started reading. That’s when I realised that challenging oneself has to come from within, and that’s when the outcomes will be better.

Learning to tap into Dopamine

I have been reading the book ‘The D.O.S.E. Effect’ by TJ Power. He simplifies simple brain chemicals as:

• D is for Dopamine
• is for Oxytocin
• S is for Serotonin
• E is for Endorphins

TJ Power explains that dopamine is well known as the brain chemical responsible for the burst of pleasure we get while scrolling through social media or eating sweets. This quick ‘feel-good’ sensation is instant and easy to access. So, what’s the problem then?

The author points out that dopamine is more than a source of instant pleasure. While screens and snacks offer quick hits of dopamine, these are short-lived. If we understand dopamine’s full potential, we can learn to use it to reward longer-term goals and effort. Consciously directing dopamine’s effects can help us perform better at work, in personal life, or in spiritual pursuits.

Now that dopamine hits are so easy to get, we are less motivated to put in effort for achievements that take more time and patience. Activities like tidying up, walking each day, or studying for exams require effort up front, that used to be sources of dopamine when we completed them. The ease of digital dopamine means we rarely need to work for that reward, so we become less willing to tackle activities like reading and writing that require time, effort and patience and the results are not instant but over a period of time.

Dopamine was meant to reward effort, like finishing a chapter or solving a math problem. When kids get easy dopamine from screens, their motivation for activities needing patience, like reading or writing, naturally drops.

The Trap of Instant Gratification

Our kids, accustomed to instant gratification, such as ordering food or binging on social media and OTT platforms, find pushing beyond their comfort zone difficult. Adults, myself included, face this too. Still, awareness and effort matter most.

Earlier, from the hunter-gathering ages to before the digital and social media era, people had to work hard to enjoy the perks. Now we get everything at a mere click of a button. And if we get instant gratification, it drops just as quickly, leaving us bored and cranky more often than we were when we were growing up.

If you recall, when we were growing up, instant food and home delivery apps were not even a thought. If we did not have it at home, we had to wait until the next weekly market visit.

What can we do to fix it?

So, what can we do? We cannot totally abandon digital media, but we must find realistic ways to adapt and help kids develop healthy reading and writing habits.

When parents ask me how they can get their child to read and write, here are some suggestions I give them.

Fixing the bedtime routine
Today, children go to bed late. I know it’s hard—parents juggle work and home, and children attend many classes. But adequate sleep is essential.

Mindful and wise digital use

Social media isn’t entirely the culprit; even some of the children’s and teen literature available these days is so distasteful that it doesn’t enhance the quality of reading. You can try introducing audiobooks or storytellers on YouTube or Instagram, where children can listen to stories instead of watching them. You’ll notice that children find some stories far more engaging than others, and that’s when you can introduce the book (if available) or similar-themed books for them to read. Since now they’ll be able to relate to the characters or the theme, they’ll be able to focus on the story better.

Reading good quality literature

The thing is, the benefits of reading good literature and good quality content are intangible. You don’t see them until you use the concepts, stories and anecdotes in class, work or in social circles. Sadly, the market is flooded with many inappropriate books that don’t qualify as the classics we grew up reading. Usually, owing to peer pressure, we find that our children read books that don’t advance their personal growth. Choosing quality literature – be it in English, Hindi or in your regional language is crucial.

Reading at bedtime

I recommend parents send children to bed early, preferably around 9:30pm or 10pm. At bedtime, encourage children to read at least two pages before going to sleep, as this is when distractions are lowest. Over time, it becomes a habit. Writing also takes effort, so children are reluctant to do it. It compels thinking, problem-solving, and risk. Fear of failure or embarrassment makes them avoid it, but overcoming that is key to building the habit. I understand this is easier said than done, but with baby steps, we’ll eventually get there. So how do we fix this?

Journaling at bedtime

Making reading and writing a habit at bedtime. Get your kids to journal at bedtime – the journal could even involve doodling and scribbling. As bedtime approaches, distractions are minimal, and children enter the relaxed alpha state. This is a good time to read a few pages of good literature, practice gratitude journaling, or doodle. Focused activities during this state help children feel calm and meditative.

When we tap into this alpha state, it helps with better sleep and reduced stress and anxiety. When we work on something with focus during the alpha state, we enter the flow state as we immerse ourselves completely in the activity – be it reading, gratitude journaling, or calming doodling. This makes us feel calmer, happier, more confident, and more energised and optimistic. And when we go to sleep, we retain this in our subconscious, which gradually has a positive effect on our minds. If you want to try it out, please do. If you co-sleep with your kids, this would be a wonderful thing to do as a family.

For working and stay-at-home parents, encouraging early sleep habits in children and ensuring they read and journal at bedtime will be less stressful for both parents and children. For older children, simple deep-breathing exercises like pranayama, visualisations, or guided visualisations with an app or pre-recorded audio can really help. Parents can only do this much; the rest of the effort has to come from our children. Lead them, gently nudge them into this path and let them explore.

Writing mentorship program for Children

Through my writing mentorship programs at The Write Compass, I work on these very nuances. I work with children and senior students to help them harness the power of writing, reading and doodling. Through art, craft, and play-based methods, I weave in a love of reading and writing.

As life happens beyond the four walls of a classroom, I like to mentor these children in simple life skills such as handling emotions, thinking outside the box, problem-solving, and much more. I always tell parents that what the children learn with me will go beyond marks and the syllabus; these learnings will be for life. And probably that’s why the children love attending my W.I.N.G.S Program, where they can be themselves, laugh, play, colour, draw, sing, dance, read and write, carefree – just what childhoods are meant to be.

References:

Alpha Brainwaves Explained | When Are They Dominant & What Mood States Are They Associated With? – Healium

What your reading habits have to do with national security: UK minister sees a link — and a risk – Firstpost