Stop the Cheap Excuse - Covid-19 is not the only reason

STOP THE BLAME. Is COVID-19 the real reason your child is failing at school? Can you help your children become better readers and learners?

It's easy to look back at the past few years and point to the pandemic as the singular cause of all our current educational struggles. Indeed, the disruptions caused by school shutdowns and virtual learning were unprecedented, leaving many students behind academically and socially. But as a society, we often find it convenient to assign blame to a major event rather than to confront the long-standing issues that have been building for years. While Covid-19 certainly exacerbated existing problems, it didn’t create them from scratch. The decline in a love for learning and reading, as well as a waning interest in education itself, has been a trend for decades.

As parents and guardians, we must take a hard look in the mirror. We can't simply blame a global health crisis for our children's lack of interest in reading when we've allowed screens and passive entertainment to dominate their lives for years. The allure of social media, the endless scroll of TikTok, and the siren call of streaming services have proven to be powerful rivals to the quiet focus required for reading a good book. The truth is, our children are often a reflection of our priorities. When we elevate organized sports to a level of importance that overshadows homework, or when we are more concerned with their digital footprint than their reading fluency, we are sending a clear message about what truly matters.

So, how do we turn the tide? The solution isn’t to simply point fingers, but to take action. We must actively compete with the digital world for our children's attention and make reading an appealing, engaging activity. This starts with us, the adults in their lives. We can set a powerful example by consistently modeling the behavior we want to see. When they see us reading for pleasure, whether it’s a book, a newspaper, or even a compelling online article, it normalizes the act. We can make reading a shared experience by dedicating family time to reading aloud together, regardless of age. Creating a cozy, inviting reading nook in your home can also make the activity feel special and desirable.

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Beyond setting a good example, we can make reading a journey of discovery. Find out what truly captivates your child—it could be superheroes, space exploration, dinosaurs, or historical figures—and then seek out books on those very topics. A reluctant reader might not be interested in classic literature, but they might be fascinated by a graphic novel about their favorite character or a non-fiction book about a subject they're passionate about. Consider turning reading into an interactive game or a scavenger hunt, where finding the next book is an adventure. We must stop hoping our children will simply pick up a book and start reading on their own. Instead, we need to be their guides and their partners on the path to becoming lifelong readers and learners.