London - Parents are bribing their children to read books amid the rise of “digital distractions”, a report has revealed.
A survey of over 500 families with children aged three to eight found 60 percent admitted promising their children rewards for reading.
About 32 percent used stickers and star charts, while 23 percent handed out late bedtimes and 14 percent awarded extra screen time. Parents also used money, trips to zoos and goodies such as sweets and chocolates to tempt children to read.
The study was carried out by education publisher Rising Stars to mark the launch of a reading scheme.
Maria Casemore, 44, a mother-of-three from south London, said that after a “full-on day at school”, persuading her children to pick up the school reading book is “a bit of a struggle”, adding: “I tend to dangle an incentive when I know they are tired.”
Helen Parker, publisher at Rising Stars, said: ‘”n an era when there are so many digital distractions, parents are having to incentivise their children to pick up a book... We need books that are as up-to-date, exciting and attractive as possible.”
A separate survey of 250 primary school teachers by Rising Stars found 75 percent gave out stickers as rewards for reading.
About 22 percent of the teachers said children who read at home most nights were between six months and a year ahead.
Daily Mail