Books vs Screens: Why Reading Is Essential for Children’s Development

My partner and I were recently on a flight to the Greek island of Mykonos. Have you been? It’s beautiful and unbelievably expensive! Still, it was deeply inspiring. I’m part Cypriot, so I’ve grown up around Mediterranean culture and feel a natural pull toward it. But I digress. While on the plane, I couldn’t help noticing the amount of screen time among the younger passengers. It’s unfair, of course, to assume they don’t read or aren’t read to, but as an ongoing observation, it’s clear the digital world is here to stay.

Stories & Reading Help Children Slow Down

I’m a big believer in honesty, so here’s some of mine: I’m not a parent (at least not yet), and I can only imagine how tough it must be. I use a tablet when I travel. And yes, even after a long reading session, I sometimes want a break with a film or TV episode. That said, I truly believe stories and reading invite us to slow down.

Whether they’re read aloud at bedtime or discovered quietly in a classroom, stories ask young minds to pause, focus, and engage. They help us think, feel, imagine, and question. Most of the digital world is fast. It thrives on instant consumption. But stories? Stories offer something quieter and rarer. It’s like a gentle rebellion.

Reading Stories Gives Children Language for Big Feelings

A Frontiers in Developmental Psychology study from 2024 found that children aged 2½ to 4 from high-screen households had noticeably weaker vocabulary and grammar. That’s a big deal, especially when it comes to expressing emotions. A separate report from The Children’s Society (England) revealed that 1 in 6 children aged 5–16 were likely to have a mental health problem as of 2020, with rates continuing to rise. This puts added pressure on schools, caregivers, and support services.

Of course, stories can be found on screens, and yes, I’m making assumptions based on these studies. But the decline in active reading is worth our attention. Reading demands imagination, focus, and emotional presence in a way passive screen use just doesn’t.

One of the most beautiful things about stories is how they help children name and explore their feelings.

Books act as both mirrors - reflecting their own experience - and windows into the lives of others. And that alone sparks vital conversations about big but basic feelings: sadness, fear, hope, courage, forgiveness. Sometimes, even before a child knows the words for them.

Reading is a Personal Investment

Children might not fully understand the value of personal investment in a story, but they can feel it. When a child pours themselves into a book, there's a deep satisfaction that passive screen time just can’t replicate. Reading gives them something tangible. A sense of progress and of curiosity. Of doing something meaningful.

Finishing a book, especially for younger or reluctant readers, is no small feat. And when they do, the pride is unmistakable. They want to tell you about it. Share the characters, the twists, the parts that made them laugh or think. They’ve completed something that took time, effort, and imagination. That’s practice for life. It’s a moment worth celebrating. The more we honour these little victories, the more they’ll want to do it again.

So What Can You Do?

If you're a parent, teacher, librarian, or someone who wants to see the young people in your life reading more, here’s my recommendation: Go to your local bookshop. Seriously. They’re bursting with colour, creativity, and excitement. One of my favourite things? There are no reviews stuck to the covers. No star ratings. No algorithm suggesting what to buy. Just shelves full of possibility.

I want to stress this: step away from the screen for a moment. Stop scrolling through online retailers and review sites. Trust the people who run your local bookshop. They know their community. They know the market. They care. They work with stories for a living, and they’re brilliant at pairing the right book with the right reader.

There’s something magical about walking into a bookshop with an open heart and a curious mind. It’s not about what others think, it’s about what you (or the child in your life) discover. When a child walks into a bookshop, they’re beginning a journey. Let them explore. Let them pick something up. Let them feel its invitation. And maybe that moment will spark something lasting.

Let's Keep the Story Going!

If you care about nurturing young readers—whether as a parent, teacher, librarian, or passionate booklover, I’d love to keep this conversation going.

You can sign up for my newsletter, The Scroll, where I share thoughtful reflections, book recommendations, and gentle reminders about the power of stories. It’s written for grown-ups who believe in the magic of childhood and the importance of slowing down.

Let’s champion stories that help children imagine boldly, feel deeply, and grow gently.

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