In 2026, screens are part of children's lives, and that is fine. The challenge is not to remove them but to find balance. With a few simple choices, screens and books can coexist peacefully in the family routine.
Active vs passive screen time
Not all screen time is equal. Watching videos endlessly is passive. A game that makes them think, a drawing app or a video call with grandma are active, because they ask for participation. Favor what stimulates the mind.
Device-free times
Agree on screen-free moments, and honor them as a family. The most valuable ones tend to be:
- Mealtimes, to talk eye to eye
- Bedtime, so the brain can wind down
- The first minutes after waking
These pauses protect sleep and connection.
10 to 20 minutes of reading a day
You do not need much. Just ten to twenty minutes of daily reading builds fluency, grows vocabulary and sets the habit. Consistency beats quantity.
Model it yourself
Children copy what they see. When they notice their parents reading for pleasure, they understand that reading is something good and desirable. Keep books in sight and read near them.
Use screens intentionally
Screens are not the enemy. The trouble is aimless use. Choose a bit of quality content, then close the screen and open a book. That intentional transition makes all the difference.
Balance, not banning
Nagging breeds resistance; banning breeds fascination. Better to negotiate clear limits and offer fun alternatives off the screen, like outdoor play and reading together.
Good screens can even lead back to reading. Dogavios pairs the book of the husky Piguica in the Magic Garden with a free, ad-free and wholesome browser game that sparks curiosity and guides the child back to the story. This way, screen and book work in favor of reading, with balance and ease.
