Does reading on the iPad or Kindle count toward my kids' daily reading minutes, or would it be considered screen time?
Answer
In June 2020 Commonsense Media said:
So long as they're really reading, then it's legit. There isn't a lot of research about the impact of ereading on kids, but reading is the one activity that's consistently cited as universally beneficial for all aspects of kids' lives. Providing a broad selection of both print and electronic books is probably the best route toward general literacy skills. In general, if your kids are reading -- and not getting distracted by the highly interactive features some ebooks have -- then you should encourage them no matter which format they prefer. The best way to ensure that real reading is happening, stick to real books or basic ereaders with paper-like screens that don't download apps. According to the Joan Ganz Cooney Center, print and basic ebooks are better for "literacy-building experiences" than feature-rich, multimedia ebooks. If you want to make sure your kids are comprehending what they're reading, read with them or ask them to read to you.
Try these tips:
- If your goal is literacy-building, choose basic ebooks and printed books.
- To engage reluctant readers, choose enhanced books with multimedia features.
- To help English-language learners, kids with special needs, and busy kids who don't have a lot of time, opt for audiobooks.
- For times when you can't read to your kid, or for an occasional treat, consider allowing them to listen to books with the audio on. This can actually boost comprehension.
