Social media is here to stay. Nothing will change that. So as parents, we need to spark our children’s interest in reading on World Book Day.
As a new mum over 40, my library was the Internet of the day and every day was a book day. It provided everything I needed education, story-telling – and stickers all in one place. Thankfully without the distraction of screen time and things like TikTok and Candy Crush
Call me old-fashioned, but it was a wonderland of entertainment with cosy reading nooks and crannies. Its shelves were crammed with both fact and fiction. It’s where my learning to read journey began and was a valued asset in our local community. Special doesn’t quite cover what it was to me.
There are so many distractions today that I now value the evening Bath, Book, Bed routine even more with little C. It’s a time when I can curl up and we can immerse ourselves in the art of story-telling.
World Book Day
That’s why as part of World Book Day (March 5th), I’m supporting a new Get Kids Reading campaign to help modern parents understand the importance of reading to their children. It’s not just about packing them off to nursery or school in a fancy costume that you’ve bought with the weekly grocery shop.
The purpose of the campaign is to raise awareness around the dangers of social media for our children’s literacy and to give parents access to resources to start (and keep boosting) their children’s reading ability.
New Research
A recent landmark study by University College London (UCL), came to this conclusion based on researching 11,000 children’s social media consumption.
Research from UCL and The Institute for Social And Economic Research (IESR) have also found links between heavy social media use and increased levels of depression, lack of sleep, increased risk of cyber-bullying and low self-esteem in our children.
Social media is here to stay. Nothing will change that. So as parents, we need to help spark our children’s interest in reading. That is where Sooper Books comes in.
Free Online Library Resource
They have created a free online children’s library to help bridge the gap between children’s fascination with technology and our need to get them reading. It’s a selection of short children’s stories for the busy, modern family that can be enjoyed anytime, anywhere – without spending a penny of your hard-earned cash.
They’ve also partnered with influencers like me to bring you some of the best free tips, advice and resources you’ll find on the web. Think of it as the ultimate guide to help your kids love reading…
10 Bedtime Stories I Love Reading To Little C
Six Dinner Sid by Inga Moore
The Tiger Who Came to Tea by Judith Kerr
Peace at Last by Jill Murphy
10 Little Dinosaurs by Mike Brownlow
The Wonky Donkey by Craig Smith
Five Minutes Peace by Jill Murphy
Elmer and the Rainbow by David McKee
FunnyBones by Alan Ahlberg
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen
Enjoy! And sleep tight x
Saffron and Cyrus is a Newcastle-based family lifestyle blog, covering health, wellness, days out, travel, reviews, recipes and more from our family life.
The blog is written by new mum over 40, Aranda, with input from hubby H and son, Little C.
