Parents told: use iPads to get reluctant boys to read

Parents are being told to turn to iPads and Kindles to get boys interested in reading amid fears that large numbers of children are shunning books at a young age. A report from the National Literacy Trust found that children aged three to five often read for longer and had a better grasp of vocabulary when accessing touch-screen technology.

The study found that tablet computers had a particular impact on groups that are traditionally most resistant to reading, particularly boys and infants from poor families. Researchers found that boys were more likely than girls to use technology for educational activities and to read for a relatively prolonged period.

The study also found that more nine-in-10 three-to five-year-old now had access to e-readers in the home and the number of nurseries and childminders using the devices had almost doubled in the last 12 months from 22 to 41 per cent.

Touch-screen technology “could be a vital new weapon to combat low literacy in key target groups”, the study said. But the recommendations are likely to renew concerns that exposure to screen-based entertainment at a young age risks damaging children’s development.

An essay by Aric Sigman, an independent lecturer in child health education, quoted research that found over-exposure to video games had a similar effect on the brain to cocaine and alcohol addiction, with extreme users showing signs of depression, anxiety and social phobia. But Jonathan Douglas, the trust’s director, said it was crucial “that we recognise the opportunities that technology brings for engaging boys and poorer children in reading”.

            Traditional books were still the favoured reading method for all children to read but researchers suggested that boys and infants from poor homes were increasingly shifting to technology such as the iPad, Kindle, Samsung Galaxy and Microsoft Surface. In all, 29.5 per cent of children from the poorest families admitted to reading stories using touchscreen technology more than books, compared with only 17.4 per cent of those from wealthy households. Some 43.2 per cent of poorer children used them “more for educational activities than for entertainment”, it emerged.

In a key conclusion, the study also linked screen use with vocabulary, adding: “Children aged three to five have a wider vocabulary if they read stories in both print form and on a touch-screen compared to those who don’t use technology.” But in his essay, Dr Sigman said that “raising parental awareness of the both excessive screen time and problematic, dependent screen use is vital”.

Question 1 (2 points) Indicate whether the following statements are true or false and write down which part of the text justifies your answer.

a. According to the study, tablets were especially motivating for kids who are not interested in reading.

b. Nearly half of nurseries and childminders used these devices 12 months ago.

c. Reading books is still the most popular way of reading.

d. Young people from well-off families use tablets more than those from families with less money.

Question 2 (2 points) Answer the following questions in your own words.

a. What, according to Aric Sigman, are the effects of over-exposure to video games?

b. How do most young children do their reading these days?

Question 3 (1.5 points) Find words or phrases in the text that correspond in meaning to the words and definitions given.

a. to keep away from (par. 1)        b.  extended (par.2)          c. worries  (par.4)

d.  to interest (par.5)                e.  understanding  (par.7)

Question 4 (1.5 points) Complete the following sentences without changing the meaning.

a. Parents are being told to turn to iPads and Kindles to get boys interested in reading.

    If parents want …... they should ……

b.  Aric Sigman said that over-exposure to video games had a similar effect on the brain to cocaine and alcohol addiction and that extreme users showed signs of depression.

Aric Sigman said:  “……………………………and ……………………………….. “.

c. Traditional books were still the favoured reading method for all children to read but boys and infants from poor homes were increasingly shifting to technology.

Although …………………………………………………………………,

Question 5 (3 points) Write a short essay (120-150 words) on the following topic:

Why reading is important.