I get that there are benefits to reading and all but what I find weird is the idea that no matter what you are reading, as long as you are reading, is a better use of your time than documentary on the same subject or playing a game?
Why? What does reading have that makes it much better? And is it really better no matter the content?
As someone who used to read a lot, many books I’ve read have been erased from my brain the same way I have with movies, and I don’t really see a difference
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A book is lower intensity and requires a longer attention span – you have to concentrate harder to make sense of the information. Just like how it’s easier to read a graphic novel than a book of the same reading level. I do not limit my kid’s reading, while limiting her screen time, because it makes sense to me that content that needs a long attention span helps build attention span. In general the systems of the body are set up to habituate us to what we do regularly, and I am trying to make sure that my kid becomes habituated to tasks requiring concentration and intellectual effort because she needs to do them regularly at school.
But not all content in a given medium is equal! I am very happy to watch BBC documentaries with her, because they tend to want longer attention spans, but refuse to watch streamers on YouTube with her, for example. Likewise when we play video games together, we play things like the electronic adaptations of Terraforming Mars or Carcassonne – games requiring thought, attention and concentration, not reflex.
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