There’s no doubt that many of us dream of spending a few quiet hours in the company of a good book, lulled by silence. We also hope that such a scenario happens regularly. This vision of an ideal moment of calm and rest is often hard to come by in our hectic daily lives, where work, family, and household chores all collide.
Yet reading is a simple pleasure that allows us to step away from reality and immerse ourselves—if only for a brief moment—in an imaginary tale or the story of a bygone era, as images and words come to life in our minds.
It’s also a magical moment to read a book with a child and watch them marvel at it or become part of the story. Even more magical are the first books they’ll read on their own as they learn to read.
Unfortunately, in many families, screens seem to have taken the place of books. I’m not referring here to e-readers, but rather to other forms of entertainment offered by television or the internet. I’d be curious to know how many books adults and children read on average each year and to compare that number to figures from past decades.
Studies are unanimous about the benefits of reading. So take the initiative to make room for it in your life and that of your family. The benefits will be felt by everyone. It will allow you to relax and create beautiful memories with your children. They’ll learn a variety of concepts, expand their vocabulary, and stimulate their imagination. Set aside your screens for a while in favor of books.
Personally, I’ve gotten into the habit of reading for a short while every night—just a few pages. Those few minutes allow me to wrap up my day and unwind before going to bed. I’ve decided to set aside those minutes for myself. In the past, I used to be able to devote much more time to reading in my life. Now, I plan for my summer and winter vacations by selecting two or three books that I want to read during those breaks.
Happy reading!