The increase in screentime for children has both positive and negative effects on their reading and wider education. On the one hand, digital devices offer more opportunities for learning, with interactive games and access to educational websites and resources. On the other hand, they can often be a distraction, especially when not utilized properly.
When it comes to improving your child’s reading skills, a blend of both paper-based and digital resources offers the best of both worlds. And that’s the synergy we will discuss in this article! Additionally, we’ll show how to integrate reading classes for kids cohesively and logically, and get the maximum out of them without overwhelming your kids.
Digital resources for reading: Types & use cases
Digital resources offer struggling readers online help, no matter their background. Their main strength is accessibility — kids always have their devices with them, so they can use relevant materials at any time.
However, that’s also the danger. As a parent, you must know how hard it can be to tear your child away from their screens. So what can you do, then? Show the value of reading from their devices instead of mindlessly scrolling through the updates line.
If you need to better understand how to improve kids’ reading, here are some of the core benefits you can grab.
The benefits of digital resources
Digital learning resources help us make the most of the devices that our children love (and are often glued to). They are also more accessible. There are many sites and providers offering free resources, ensuring equitable access for all children. For parents with more resources, struggling children can also access personalized online tutoring.
What are some of the types of digital resources?
There are a lot of digital resources available to your child that can help improve their reading comprehension:
- Computer or tablet-based games: Educational games are available for free on many sites. With gamification shown to improve students’ motivation and academic performance, it’s a valuable way to engage children in learning.
- Educational videos: Many providers share videos that explain many different concepts, such as characterization and metaphors. This is great for kids who love YouTube!
- High-quality 1-on-1 reading tutoring online: Children can receive personalized education from highly qualified tutors, especially useful for families with struggling readers or those who want to excel in the subject.
Case study: 3 ways Brighterly’s online platform boosts reading skills
As online learning has become more common, one tried-and-true innovation is online tutoring. That’s because for children who are falling behind, a reading tutor is an affordable and accessible option to bring them up to speed.
Let’s take a look at a real-life example of the impact of online tutoring as exemplified by Brighterly. This e-service offers flexible online tutoring from highly qualified, experienced teachers. It improves children’s reading grades by using a mix of games, puzzles, and, yes, paper-based resources!
Here are just a few ways Brighterly’s reading program for kids can boost your child’s skills.
Gamified and interactive digital lessons
This gamified reading platform for kids offers an unmatched level of collaboration and interactivity. Tutors guide children through a range of resources and learning materials, from videos and visual presentations to collaborative games and worksheets. This mixed media allows tutors to address areas of concern and improve children’s reading, both on paper and digitally.
Skill transfer between screen and paper
Brighterly skillfully transfers skills between the screen and paper. While lessons are online, children can complete physical worksheets in real-time with their tutor’s or parent’s support. All of those resources come with answer keys, so they can also be used at home.
Personalized one-on-one tutoring with real-time data
Brighterly’s tutoring is highly personalized; first, children will take a diagnostic test to identify their strengths and weaknesses. Then, tutors create a tailored reading plan to address areas for improvement and boost reading confidence. What’s more, parents will receive regular progress updates to show how their child is improving based on tutoring session data.
Paper resources: How to get the maximum benefit
Digital resources are accessible and important, but paper is king when it comes to initially mastering reading comprehension. While we are becoming an increasingly paperless society, paper resources still have an important place in your child’s learning.
The stats on why paper still matters
A meta-analysis of 49 research papers showed that children who read on paper score higher in reading comprehension tests, understand what they’re consuming more deeply, and take in more information. That’s why paper is so important both to reading classes for kids and in their personal lives.
When children read on screens, they are doing so at a more superficial level, meaning they don’t take as much meaning from the text. That’s why a blend of both is best.
The most popular paper-based resources
You’ll know that the feeling of a tangible book in your hands cannot be replicated. There are lots of different physical resources kids can use:
- Story books or non-fiction books: Reading physical resources helps with memory retention and can boost kids’ imagination.
- Comic books and magazines: Paper resources created for entertainment still contribute to your child’s reading comprehension!
- Worksheets and workbooks: Reading problems and writing answers down on paper can also help with understanding and memory.
Instill a love of reading books
The main problem with paper resources these days is that only a few kids are reading for pleasure. About 18.7% of young people read in their free time daily, according to the National Literacy Trust — the lowest figure recorded in its history.
Reading to or with your children is a great way to get them into the habit, especially at a young age. Then, as they get older, they associate books with pleasure and will continue to read on their own.
Blend paper and screens for the best results
Paper is the most effective way for children to learn how to read and comprehend what they are consuming. But when reading digitally is a big part of life, we need to utilize their screens to ensure they can do that effectively, too. What’s more, digital resources and 1-on-1 reading tutoring online are more accessible and powerful than ever before.
Screentime may be an unnecessary distraction for your child if they’re watching endless YouTube videos or playing games with little benefit, but by changing the content they consume on their devices, you can use them as an effective tool to boost their reading.
