(12) Books left unread since around age 5 were the shortest route to becoming a 'child who reads' - To the mom I met 10 years ago -

This is a continuation of my letter.

"Building a habit of 'reading' with books at home before becoming immersed in digital media"

...is what I am talking about.

・Click here for letter (11).
(11) Books left unread since around age 5 were the shortest route to becoming a 'child who reads' - To the mom I met 10 years ago - | Emi Suzuhara (note.com)

Today, I'd like to talk about

"Something just as important as parental controls"

.


Shiori-san, have you ever heard of "parental controls"?
Recently, I've even started receiving letters from the elementary school my children attend about "parental controls."

--Of course, you know what they are, right?

It's a term that wasn't widespread 10 years ago when we were talking about parenting, but for parents who let their children have devices today, it has become common knowledge and a standard method.

However, now that I am raising two elementary school children, I think to myself.

There is something just as important as parental controls.

That is, for a child to

Have things they like to do other than surfing the net, watching videos, or playing games.
Be able to spend time happily at home even without digital devices.

--I think this is it.

To confirm once more,
Parental controls are when parents or guardians set usage restrictions to prevent children from viewing harmful sites or getting involved in trouble when using smartphones or computers... right?
It is necessary for using devices with peace of mind, and I think it also serves the purpose of limiting usage time to prevent internet addiction or dependency.

However,since "control" means "to be regulated" or "to be managed" for the recipient, this is not the child's own proactive will.

--No, of course, it is difficult for children to proactively use smartphones or computers "in an age-appropriate" and "safe" way, so it is fine for parents to set regulations.
Because it contains the wishes of parents and adults who "don't want them to use it the wrong way"
and "don't want them to use it for long hours"...

But, regarding the prevention of internet, smartphone, and game addiction, for example, if you set a time limit like "only two hours"...what will the child do at home after that?

Children spend long hours on smartphones and games mainly during"free time at home", right?

What if they finish their studies and homework?
What if they have no plans to go out?

I often hear parents say they are troubled because their children only play on smartphones or games during long school breaks... I think families who hadn't set any time limits until then also face the dilemma of it being hard to start limiting them now.

Some children like anime or movies. If there is a TV in their room, I think they can watch that too.

But not all children are like that, and they probably can't just do that all the time either.

Doesn't the fact that "smartphones and games are what a child likes best" mean almost the same thing as "there is nothing else fun to do (at home) if they stop doing that"?

Even if they stop doing that, if there is something else fun to do, children can spend their time vibrantly.

We adults don't actually want to scold our children.
Don't we always just want to see their smiles?

I think we need to think more about solutions for that...


Just saying "stop it" is not a fundamental solution.

For example, on days off, if parents are home, I often hear people talk about doing things together, going out somewhere nearby, or encouraging them to play in the park... but there are limits to that, aren't there?

--I understand that very well.
In our home, too, we spend our days with various things set up...

It's not that parents can be involved at any time; rather, because that is difficult, I think parents' worries ultimately return to how to have their children spend their time meaningfully when they are at home.

In the media, we often see information and advice like
"How to protect children from smartphone and game addiction,
"How to get them to stop using them for long periods,"
"It's important to make these agreements in advance"....

Even so, I think.
Something just as important is, after all...
having something else they love..

--I wish they would read books.

Yes, that's where I always end up.

There are many books at home, books they've started reading, books they want, and
when they run out of books to read, they go to the library or bookstore... I wish children could use their time that way.

Not forced by anyone, not to gain special knowledge, but having reading as a form of entertainment that excites them as an option for their free time...

I think that is a happy thing.
I think it is a peaceful thing.

For example, I think it's fine for children who already have something they love, like making things such as crafts or needlework, cooking or baking, puzzles or blocks, fashion or makeup, or researching plants or animals.

However, for children who don't really have such things, I want to convey that "books" are an option with a very high potential to entertain them.

--Because reading is a gentle hobby and entertainment for everyone.


I especially recommend stories and novels to children, but the world of books encompasses every genre beyond that.

Even just looking at study and workbook materials, there are many fun ones now, and there are books overflowing in the world to satisfy every interest, such as music, animals and plants, travel, outdoors, cooking, jobs, architecture, Go and Shogi, puzzles, natural environment, history, science, making things, fashion and makeup, money and economy, philosophy and ways of living...

There are both fiction and non-fiction books themed around these.


I think books are one of the hobbies that boast the greatest breadth in human history.

Reading is a hobby that anyone can enjoy easily once they get used to it.
But the difficult part is that it is a high hurdle to suggest "Why don't you read a book?" to a child who is already deeply immersed in smartphones and games.

(I think saying "If you're bored, read a book" is essentially only effective for children who already like books...)

Not just smartphones and games, at the point where the situation has become "why don't you read a book...", reading has become an "alternative" for the child and even if parents and children suddenly go to a library or bookstore, they don't know which book they might find interesting... this won't get them excited, will it?
Of course, if they choose a book with good reviews and get hooked on it, saying "This is interesting!", that would be ideal, and a connection with books might be formed from there.

--I think it would be wonderful if that happened.

Children are bundles of potential and sensibility.


It is still a time when they can continue to encounter the fun of books.
That is precisely why I think the situation of being obsessed only with smartphones and games and being scolded by adults is somehow a waste.

--So, I think.

It would be even more wonderful if many children knew the joy of books from a young age...

Then, it will increase the amount of fun time for children, and it will also slightly reduce the melancholy and worries of parents that are unique to modern times, and people involved in libraries, bookstores, and book production will also be happy, so it's all good things.

--Something as important as parental control...

Having things you like other than the internet, watching videos, and games.
Being able to spend time happily without digital devices when you are bored at home.

The letter continues.

<Chasing words, holding joy and sorrow in my heart, I wish for this to resonate before the age of smartphones>

・Click here for letter (13).
(13) Books piled up since age 5 were the shortest route to becoming a 'child who reads' - To the mom I met 10 years ago - | Emi Suzuhara (note.com)

・Click here for letter (1).
(1) Books piled up since age 5 were the shortest route to becoming a 'child who reads' - To the mom I met 10 years ago - | Emi Suzuhara (note.com)