Some individuals believe that telling stories to children should be done by mom or dad, whereas others argue that children should be done by themselves. While both viewpoints are valid, I lean towards the latter.
On the one hand, letting kids read books and watch TV by themselves can bring several benefits for not only children but also parents. Allowing children to choose books or programmes independently can raise their self-discipline and also sense of responsibility. This will help them learn how to arrange their time and balance their daily activities at home. Moreover, in hectic modern life, some parents are extremely busy and may lack time since they need to deal with their heavy workload. Giving the children the freedom to create their own imagination world by choosing their suitable books and educational programmes can foster their curiosity, which in turn helps develop individual learning styles and motivation for learning.
On the one hand, some people believe that parents need to read stories to their children. Parents play a vital role in their children’s childhood so reading or sharing moments with kids helps strengthen family bonds. When they spend their free time on the weekend, being with their son or daughter can create more interaction and create unforgetten memories. Children often feel emotionally supported and valued when their parents engage with them in this way. In addition, reading stories can help parents control their children’s screen time and device use. Instead of letting their kids freely use smartphones or watch TV for a long time, children can read and learn with healthier content in an appropriate age-environment.
In my opinion, although independent learning is important, parents should still play an active role in reading or storytelling, especially when children are young. A balanced approach, where parents read stories while gradually encouraging self-directed learning, is the most effective way to support children’s overall development.
In conclusion, while both approaches have their advantages, parental involvement in storytelling remains essential and should not be completely replaced by independent activities.