In recent years, the love of reading, particularly among younger generations, seems to be fading.

Since 1999, when January 27 was designated as Family Literacy Day in Canada, it has been a day dedicated to promoting the importance of families reading together to foster literacy. But experts in education and literacy note that the habit of family reading time is declining. They point to a variety of factors contributing to this decline, including busy schedules, the rise of technology and parents who lack the confidence to establish reading routines at home.

One major issue is the growing time constraints that families face in today’s busy world. Parents are juggling work, household chores and other responsibilities, which often leaves little room for such activities as reading with their children. In many households, it has become all too easy to turn to screens as a quick and quiet way to engage a child and give parents some space and time to complete other tasks. While this may seem like a practical solution, the consequences of substituting screen time for reading time are significant.

Experts such as Frederick Hess, the director of education policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute, argue that this over-reliance on technology combined with the pressures of modern life are contributing to a decline in the habit of reading in children. Hess, who is also a father, acknowledges that the distractions of technology are affecting not only children but their parents as well. The ubiquity of digital devices has reshaped how families spend time together, and the convenience of technology often makes it an easier choice than activities like reading, which needs a bit of preplanning. Hess wants to imagine a world where parents delay giving their children smartphones — perhaps not until the age of 14 — and to establish clear boundaries around technology use in the home. For example, parents could lock devices away at night and use them only in ways that enhance their children’s learning rather than as entertaining distractions.

Hess also emphasizes the importance of reading aloud with children no matter how old they are. When parents read to their children, it not only exposes them to language and literature but also fosters meaningful conversations. Children are able to ask questions and engage in discussions that might not occur if they were reading alone or interacting with a device. Moreover, these conversations can strengthen the bond between parent and child, providing a space for shared experiences and growth.

But reading aloud is not a practice that comes naturally to all parents, especially those who may not have had the experience of being read to as children themselves. This lack of confidence can exacerbate the decline in family reading time. Many parents simply do not know where to start or how to engage their children with books in a way that feels meaningful. This is where educators and literacy experts can play a crucial role.

Educators are in a unique position to model the love of reading for parents and families. By demonstrating the types of materials that are engaging, how long to read and where to find accessible resources, educators can help families cultivate a reading culture at home. For example, teachers provide recommendations for age- appropriate books, share strategies for making reading interactive or even host family literacy events that encourage parents to participate in reading activities with their children. These efforts not only support parents in their reading journeys but also provide opportunities for the wider community to become involved in fostering a love of reading.

Educators can also help parents understand the importance of making time for reading even amid the demands of busy schedules. By making reading a consistent part of daily routines, such as before bed or during quiet afternoons, families can create a habit of reading that becomes ingrained in their lives. The key is not necessarily to read for hours at a time but to prioritize reading in small, manageable chunks that fit into the family’s lifestyle. By addressing the challenges that families face and providing the tools and resources necessary to foster reading habits, we can ensure that the joy of reading is not lost but rather passed on to future generations.

INTERVIEW BY MARC CASTALDO