Why Reading Is Disappearing From Family Life — And How To Bring It Back This Christmas
Every year, new research confirms something many of us quietly sense:
Children are reading less than ever.
And while screens are often blamed, the truth is deeper than that.
Reading isn’t just competing with devices — it’s slowly fading from everyday family culture.
Between clubs, homework, after-school activities, and the constant noise of modern life, children rarely get the chance to slow down long enough to fall into a story. And the adults around them? Many of us are caught in the same cycle.
Reading asks something unusual of us now:
Time. Calm. Imagination.
Three things that feel increasingly rare for both children and grown-ups.
Schools can teach children how to read.
But they can’t teach them to love reading.
That part begins at home.
When Children Stop Reading for Pleasure, They Lose More Than Stories
Reading for pleasure isn’t simply a hobby.
It shapes the way children think, feel, and grow.
When reading slips away, so does:
Focus — stories train the mind to stay with one idea for longer
Curiosity — books open doors to worlds beyond their own
Empathy — meeting characters fosters understanding and compassion
The good news?
This trend can be changed — and much more easily than most parents realise.
Children Become Readers When They See Readers
One of the most powerful truths in education is this:
Reading habits are caught, not taught.
Children imitate what they see.
When books are visible, valued, and enjoyed at home, reading becomes part of a child’s identity — effortlessly.
Here are a few simple ways to weave reading back into daily family life:
✔ Let your child see you reading
Even a magazine or Kindle counts. Talk about what you’re enjoying.
✔ Create a short family reading window
Ten minutes before bed or over breakfast. Routine builds culture.
✔ Let children choose their own books
Choice is one of the strongest motivators for young readers.
✔ Enjoy audiobooks together
In the car, during tidying, or while cooking. They are real reading
None of these require perfection.
None require hours of free time.
They simply create an environment where books feel welcome again.
And that small shift changes everything.
If You’re Looking for Christmas Read-Alouds…
To make things easier for busy families, I’ve put together:
🎄 My Top 10 Christmas Read-Aloud Book
📚 Trusted book lists from authors and educators I admire
These include affiliate links that support independent bookshops — not Amazon — because I believe the way we buy books matters too.
Get your book list here.
A Final Thought for Parents
I’m not sharing any of this to make anyone feel guilty.
Life is busy, loud, and full — and many of us are juggling far more than meets the eye.
But choosing a book over a phone, even once in a while, sends a powerful message:
Stories matter.
Words matter.
Imagination matters.
Reading isn’t something we force.
It’s something children learn to love by watching us love it.
Reading habits are caught, not taught.
And this Christmas is a beautiful time to begin again.
