When paper was invented over 2000 years ago, no one would have imagined that its usefulness would one day be challenged by digital pixels. The invention of digital media promised the demise of paper, which clearly hasn’t happened. The choice between paper and pixels leaves many parents wondering which is best to use when their child is learning to read. It’s a complex question, but research has shown that both  paper and digital books can serve a purpose if parents know how to use them effectively with their child.  

In this article, you will learn what the research says about paper and digital books and the implications for early readers. We’ll also share some fun, easy to use ideas for making the most out of daily shared reading experiences with your child. 

Should my Child Read Digital Books?

Digital books are a relatively recent invention, compared to the invention of paper over 2000 years ago. Technology offers a unique experience for readers with options for animation, sound effects, music, and links to definitions and more information. In some cases, font types and sizes can be changed and text can be highlighted to improve readability. Ebooks are convenient and easy to use, with the ability to store thousands of them on one device. They are also lightweight and portable and in some cases more cost effective than paper books. With all these features and effects, digital media is appealing to parents and young learners. 

Although digital books have a lot to offer, they also come with some downsides. Research has not established any clear benefits of media exposure for young children except for using video chats for maintaining connections with family and friends. Screens are designed to create dependence and studies show that they distract from real world practice in social interactions and self-soothing strategies. 

Parent and child interactions also tend to be reduced when digital media is used for reading. Research shows that the dialogue that takes place during reading helps children learn more about story elements, increases vocabulary, and improves comprehension. 

Studies show that reading on screens can lead to cognitive overload. This means that the brain is trying to do too many things at once which interrupts deep comprehension. Quickly skimming the text on a screen is common which does not allow the reader’s brain to engage as deeply with the information. Screens generally present one page at a time which makes it challenging to mentally map the location of materials for recall. Research on brain activity during screen reading shows that children do not understand the material as well or learn as much when reading on screens.  

The true purpose of reading is to gain meaning from the written text. The frequent interruptions of sounds and animations built into some digital books has been shown to interrupt comprehension and sequencing of story events. On the other hand, comprehension is increased when parents ask thoughtful questions and provide more information through conversations about the story. Connecting real life experiences to written text is beneficial for building background knowledge and improving comprehension. Technology simply cannot replace the valuable human interactions that support the development of healthy bodies and minds needed for learning to read. 

Should my Child Read Paper Books?

There are many positive features that make paper books an excellent choice for reading. Paper books are easy to hold and manipulate. They encourage conversations and interactions during shared reading. Paper books are quick and easy to access and don’t require electrical energy to use them. Research shows that especially for young children, paper books are the preferred medium for building foundational reading skills.

Paper books provide a unique, tactile experience. The size of the book, feel of the paper, turning the pages, flipping back and forth between sections, and even the smell of paper and ink creates multi-sensory experiences for the reader. Textures, pop-ups, slide outs, and flaps can be included to add to the reading experience. Paper books are stimulating and engaging without contributing to sensory overload. 

Research shows that parents and children interact more when reading a paper book. These interactions present learning opportunities, strengthen family bonds, provide practice with social interaction, and support self-regulation. Paper books encourage connections to real world experiences and sharing stories from the past. Reading a good book with your child is the perfect way to promote social emotional health, strengthen self-regulation, and provide quality family time.

As a parent, you know your child best, so you can give just the right amount of support without overwhelming them with too much information or too many interruptions to the flow of reading. You can encourage your child to ask questions and help them find the answers. Conversations about story lines or informational text boosts comprehension and builds background knowledge. You want your child to use information in the text to make connections to their life experiences, other books they have read, and the world around them. Comprehension is the real purpose of learning to read.  

Paper books are portable, accessible, and affordable. They provide a unique tactile experience and create the opportunity for rich conversations and knowledge building. Paper books are engaging without being overwhelming and do not require access to electricity to use them. Reading paper books together creates strong family bonds and helps children learn social skills and develop self regulation.  

The Effects of Screen Use on Eye Health

There is an established connection between close-up activity, myopia (nearsightedness), and eye strain. Intensely staring at close objects reduces the rate and timing of eye blinking which is essential for keeping eyes hydrated. Eye strain includes conditions such as dry or itchy eyes, blurry vision, and headaches. Cases of myopia have significantly increased over the last 30 years when children began spending more time indoors doing close-up activities and using digital screens. Going outside provides exposure to daylight and the opportunity to look further distances, along with many other benefits for growing minds and bodies. 

Use the 20-20-20-2 Rule to counteract the effects of close-up work. Take a break every 20 minutes, focus on something 20 feet away for 20 seconds, and blink 20 times. The 2 is a reminder to go outside for at least 2 hours every day. Use a timer or bookmark to remind you and your child to take needed breaks to support good eye health.

Paper versus Digital: Is There a Clear Choice for Children Learning to Read?

Studies show that both paper and digital media can be useful tools for early readers. It’s important to keep in mind that technology is not a replacement for lively conversations with a trusted, caring adult. The key to choosing between paper and digital books is knowing how to use them effectively to help your child become a strong, confident reader. Here are some points to keep in mind:

• The thoughtful conversations and interactions between expressive, caring adults and children, during shared reading, is highly beneficial and cannot be replaced by technology. 
• Close physical contact during shared reading creates a nurturing, bonding experience between parents and children. 
• Provide lots of paper books in various locations throughout the house, among the toys, and in a travel bag.
• Children mimic what they see adults doing and are more likely to develop similar habits, so let them see you reading paper books.
• Be mindful of excessive digital distractions such as animations and sound effects that interrupt story comprehension and sequencing of story events. Draw your child’s focus to the story and limit use of extra features offered by technology.
• Avoid using screens during mealtimes, just before bedtime, or as babysitters, pacifiers, or tools for self-regulation. Screens are designed with knowledge of child psychology that makes them irresistible and overstimulating. 
• Limit screen use during outings. Keep books in your travel bag to use while waiting for appointments. Encourage your child to practice social skills and find joy in real world experiences, whether it’s shopping for groceries, visiting family and friends, or hiking through a forest. 
• Promote good eye health by providing a balance of close-up activities such as reading and distance activities through outdoor experiences. 
• Use larger screens such as a laptop or desktop to reduce the demands of close-up viewing that smaller phone screens place on the eyes. Keep screens at least an arm’s length away, at a slightly downward angle, and lower the brightness setting to reduce glare.
• Research supports the use of paper books for prereaders and those who are learning to read. The unique, tactile experience that paper books offer promotes livelier conversations and deeper interactions between parent and child. Family bonding, in-depth conversations, and connections to real world experiences, during shared reading, boosts vocabulary acquisition and comprehension. Paper books should be the primary medium for shared reading and learning to read. 

We live in a digital world where the glitter of pixels, movement, and sounds captivate early learners. Pediatricians recommend that screen use should be limited to video chats for very young children. Technology is available, relatively affordable, and able to store hundreds of books, making it convenient for extended travel. Digital books can be motivating for young readers, however, their effectiveness requires quality participation from caring adults. 

For early readers, paper books are the preferred medium for learning to read as they promote higher language development and more efficient brain activity. Studies show that screens generally inhibit language development and lower the efficiency of brain activity. Whichever medium you choose to use, always be mindful of how you are using it and if it is helping or hindering your child’s progress in becoming a strong, confident reader. Technology can never be a substitute for essential human interactions that build strong minds and bodies. 

Sources

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Screen Time and Children No. 54; Updated May 2024 Link

American Academy of Ophthalmology https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/screen-use-kids 

Canadian Association of Optometrists Link

Canadian Paediatric Society. (2022) Screen time and preschool children: Promoting health and development in a digital world.  https://cps.ca/en/documents/position/screen-time-and-preschool-children 

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Link

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