When we think about the last time we held a book in our hands to read and actually read it from beginning to end, many of us have to think for a long time.
Reading is no longer one of the Germans’ favorite pastimes
And then there are the avowed bookworms among us, who are constantly searching for books from all genres. It's a shame that the gap between them is getting wider and wider and it's no secret that the younger generation is more on the side of those who refuse to read. But why?
Official figures confirm it – book sales in Germany alone have been declining steadily for years and reading itself is no longer one of people’s most popular leisure activities.
And this is not because there is a lack of good authors or the choice of good reading material is too small. No, authors from all over the world make an incredible effort every day to publish exciting fantasy stories, thrilling dystopias and modern young adult books.
So that can't be the reason for the lack of interest. Nor can it be that there is no alternative to stubbornly reading line by line - let's think of audio books, which are often released just a few months after a book is published.
Is digitalization to blame for the change?
If we ask young people, the answer we often get is: "I don't have time to read!" And that could actually be true, although the key here would probably be setting priorities. But young people in particular no longer grow up with a book in their hands; most of them spend their time talking on the phone, playing games on their smartphones, surfing the internet and social media. And then there's school, maybe sport and family - where is there room for reading?
A second, quite understandable argument is: "I don't have any money for books!" Yes, if you read a lot, you have to spend money on it, and if you look at the fringe group of bookworms, this can be a moderately expensive hobby. Of course, the latest bestsellers by popular authors are now sold for up to 30 euros, on average around 14 - 15 euros. If you only read 3 books a month, everyone can work out for themselves what book consumption can actually cost.
It is therefore no surprise that a renowned survey from England found that reading habits are based on income. Multimillionaire Bill Gates, for example, stated that he reads just over 50 books a year and Mark Zuckerberg stated that he reads two books a month.
Low-income households preferred electronic media and watched television more than they read a book. And then there are the different educational levels. Depending on the level of education, the views passed on to the children are different.
If you can't read well, you can't help your children to do the same. They aren't given the opportunity to develop an interest in books. In contrast, children from wealthy and educated families are encouraged to read more and the use of books is encouraged.
And then there is digitalization, which really only causes one thing when it comes to reading: distraction! After all, we are now used to receiving information, news and stories quickly. We no longer have to wade through 400 pages of a book to understand something.
We get it delivered to us on a silver platter in a nutshell. All news, reports and information are prepared in such a way that we know what we wanted to know after just a short blog article of 500 words. There's no question that today's generation is simply no longer prepared to make the effort of reading. In fact, they have become quite lazy in this regard.
Good reasons for reading – Stop those excuses
We now know all the excuses that keep us from reading. And yes, they are just excuses. Because we don't have to be millionaires to be able to afford to read. After all, pretty much everyone has the opportunity to get a free card at the nearest library.
In addition, thanks to platforms like Rebuy or eBay, we always have the option of buying used books for much less. And when it comes to user behavior in modern media, we could just take a look at ourselves and change something.
The lack of reading habits of our children may become a problem in the future
But what is the point? And does reading really do me much good?
The number of illiterate people is increasing, students' ability to express themselves is declining, more and more children are getting bad grades in German, are not able to read spelling and grammar and are no longer learning how to concentrate on a topic for a longer period of time.
There is a lack of expressiveness and eloquence, and instead nonsensical youth and bad words are imprinted in the kids' memories.
Reading books can give you so much and help you in all of these areas:
Reading is like traveling to another world. It's true that reading cannot be compared to watching a 1,5-hour film. Reading creates your own images in your head, stimulates your imagination and creativity, and creates a world in which you can immerse yourself deeply. This is where the fun of reading comes from, because it's as if you are immersing yourself in your very own favorite series with every page.
Reading promotes concentration, has a relaxing effect and helps you fall asleep. Anyone who reads has to concentrate on what they are reading in order to understand the content. And this over a longer period of time.
This can be a great advantage for children in particular, as they have to concentrate for longer periods at school. This is something that needs to be learned. And while the overstimulation on Facebook and the like only upsets and stresses you, reading automatically provides peace and relaxation. That's why it makes much more sense to pick up a good book before going to sleep instead of giving in to your Netflix addiction.
Reading is educational, but this is not the first time we have heard this
But it is still true, because those who read broaden their horizons. And not just in the area of language or grammar and spelling, but also in the areas of opinion formation, understanding and worldview. Those who read think about things, create new bases for discussion and develop their personality. And it doesn't even matter what exactly we read.
So it’s worth taking another look at the topic of reading. And for all the bookworms out there: keep up the good work, you’re great!
Immerse yourself in the colorful world of coloring pages that have been specially developed for children of all ages. Our collection offers a variety of motifs that will delight both girls and boys. From animals to vehicles to imaginative scenes, there is everything to stimulate your child's imagination. The simple download process ensures that you have access to new templates at any time. These coloring pages are not only a creative activity, but also a valuable tool for promoting fine motor skills and concentration. Let your children's creativity run wild and watch them grow and learn with every stroke.