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From classrooms to living rooms, there seems to be no escaping screens. While technology has benefits, parents are increasingly aware of the need for balance. Reading children’s books offers a screen-free way to spark curiosity, encourage learning, and strengthen family bonds.

Books create moments of calm and connection, giving kids space to imagine without the constant pull of digital noise.

Why Balancing Screen Time Matters

Screens have become part of everyday life, and for kids, that often means hours spent on tablets, smartphones, or TVs. While technology can be educational, too much screen time has raised red flags for parents, teachers, and health professionals alike.

Studies show that children who spend excessive time on screens may experience shorter attention spans, disrupted sleep patterns, and higher levels of irritability or mood swings. The American Academy of Pediatrics, for example, has linked overexposure to digital devices with challenges in behavior and learning, especially when screen use replaces physical activity or family interaction.

That doesn’t mean parents should ban screens altogether. Digital tools play a role in modern learning, and kids benefit from knowing how to use them responsibly. The real key is balance—making sure that screen time is paired with screen-free activities like reading, outdoor play, and creative projects. By setting boundaries, parents can ensure that children get the best of both worlds: the advantages of technology without sacrificing their overall well-being.

The Unique Power of Children’s Books

Reading isn’t just about decoding words on a page—it’s a mental workout that helps kids strengthen focus and build critical thinking skills. Unlike fast-moving digital content, books invite children to slow down, follow a storyline, and practice patience as they absorb details and ideas.

Stories also spark imagination in ways screens can’t fully replicate. When children picture characters, settings, and adventures in their own minds, they develop creativity that carries into play, problem-solving, and even social skills. At the same time, well-crafted children’s books introduce themes of kindness, resilience, and empathy, helping kids understand and manage their own emotions while learning to connect with others.

There’s also something special about the physical experience of reading. Turning pages, tracing words with a finger, and holding a book offers a tactile connection that stimulates the senses. This hands-on interaction helps kids feel grounded and present, in contrast to the constant tapping and swiping of screens.

Family Bonding Through Shared Reading

Bedtime reading has long been one of the most cherished family rituals, and for good reason. Curling up with a book at the end of the day creates a sense of comfort and routine that children look forward to. These moments become treasured memories, offering both relaxation and connection before sleep.

Shared storytelling also opens doors to meaningful conversations. A story about friendship, bravery, or kindness can spark questions and give children the space to talk about their own feelings or experiences. Parents can use these natural openings to reinforce values, answer curiosities, and strengthen emotional bonds.

Interactive reading makes the experience even richer. Asking questions about the characters, pointing out small details in illustrations, or relating the story to a child’s daily life transforms reading from a passive activity into an engaging dialogue. This not only boosts comprehension but also deepens the bond between parent and child, making books a bridge between learning and love.

Creating Meaningful Stories for the Next Generation

Children’s books don’t just entertain young readers—they also give parents, teachers, and aspiring writers a powerful way to pass on lessons and values. Whether it’s a story that celebrates diversity, teaches resilience, or simply sparks curiosity, books allow adults to shape how the next generation sees the world.

Today, it’s easier than ever for anyone with a story to share to bring their ideas to life. New AI-supported Platforms support both print and digital book creation, helping ensure that diverse voices and meaningful stories reach children everywhere. By lowering the barriers to publishing, tools like these empower storytellers to contribute to a richer, more inclusive library of children’s books.

Conclusion

Digital wellness isn’t about removing screens from a child’s life—it’s about finding the right balance. Technology can be a helpful tool, but it should be complemented by activities that nurture creativity, focus, and real connection.

Books provide exactly that. They offer a timeless way for children to imagine new worlds, strengthen their attention span, and share meaningful moments with family. Unlike the fast pace of digital media, children’s books encourage kids to slow down and engage deeply with stories.

Making reading a daily habit doesn’t need to be complicated. Whether it’s a bedtime story, a weekend library visit, or a few pages shared after school, every moment with a book is an investment in a child’s growth and well-being. Encourage your family to open a book today—you’ll be planting seeds of curiosity and connection that last a lifetime.

The 11+ Exam is a selective test used to gain entry into Grammar Schools and Independent Schools. The exam is deliberately challenging and is structured to assess both knowledge and aptitude under timed conditions.

It is one thing to understand the content, but another to apply that knowledge effectively within strict time limits. In addition to the entrance tests, some Independent Schools may also require pupils to attend an interview, for which preparation can also be highly beneficial.

As you likely know, the 11 Plus exam consists of four parts:

• Verbal Reasoning: word selection and matching, categorising vocabulary, codes and sequences, verbal and numerical logic

• Non-Verbal Reasoning: spotting figure patterns, completing diagrams, rotations and reflections, interpreting layered designs

• English: comprehension, spelling, vocabulary, grammar and punctuation, precise word choice

• Mathematics: problem solving, logical reasoning, data interpretation, geometry and measurement

Maths and English broadly follow the National Curriculum, while Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning do not.

Actionable Steps to Succeed

Short and Sharp Daily Practice Works Best

We have noticed that the best-performing students start early and do little at a time. This means doing 15–20 minutes daily from Year 4, rather than long and draining sessions in Year 6.

At this age, your child’s brain is like a sponge. Give it small amounts of information often, and it will absorb it well. Give it too much in one short period, and it may panic and fail to retain it.

Train Exam Timing Early

Set a timer, even on a single section, and get your child used to exam conditions. Too often, parents come to us with children who perform well in untimed practice but are too slow under exam conditions. Remember: 1 mark = 1 minute is always a good rule of thumb.

Encourage the “move on if stuck” method. In the exam, even the most able students will encounter difficult questions. It is important not to get stuck for too long. Skip it, focus on the ones you can answer, and come back later.

Build Vocabulary in Fun Ways

Make vocabulary learning fun. Use flashcards, “word of the day,” or even word games. Once your child understands a word, incorporate it into daily conversations.

Active reading is also crucial. The strongest students are voracious readers who pick up vocabulary effortlessly across different genres. Use your child’s interests to guide book choices. And remember: use new words or lose them!

When Do People Get an 11 Plus Tutor?

The 11 Plus Exam is competitive, so it’s no wonder parents ask about the best time to start 11 plus tutoring. Here’s the breakdown:

• Year 4 (Early Starters): Builds a strong foundation in English and Maths. Lessons focus more on content and engagement rather than exam conditions.

• Year 5 (The Sweet Spot): Students are mature enough for structured lessons, and there’s plenty of time to build exam technique without cramming. Intensity usually increases after Easter.

• Year 6 (Catch-Up Stage): Works for families who decide later on grammar or private schools. Tutoring here tends to focus on intensive revision and exam strategies rather than building content knowledge.

Signs Your Child May Benefit from a Tutor

• They are struggling with core skills such as spelling, times tables, or comprehension.

• They panic or underperform under exam pressure and need guidance to build confidence.

• They are advanced for their age and need stretching beyond the school curriculum.

Remember: getting a tutor is not about “getting ahead.” It’s about whether your child needs structure and confidence that you may not always be able to provide at home.

At The Degree Gap, we provide specialist 11 Plus Tutoring in all areas of the test. We cover the popular Kent 11 Plus Test and all exam boards. All lessons are recorded and delivered by experienced 11 Plus teachers.

To help children develop their reading skills, you need to teach them a phonics-based curriculum. You can achieve success in this area by following a well-structured format that thoroughly applies the fundamental principles of reading science.

Online platforms offer multiple books inspired by the Orton-Gillingham method. You can refer to these resources to help your children make progress in their reading skills. Some students can be fast learners, while others may need some time to grasp new concepts. With patience and focus, you can address their concerns as well. However, choosing the right reading material is essential. Many schools today rely on decodable books.

To make your young learners’ reading journey enjoyable, consider incorporating decodable texts. These can be used to teach essential reading components.

• Phonemic Awareness Skills

Introducing phonemic awareness activities from the early years of a child’s education is necessary. Before that, they should already be familiar with certain sounds and their application in spoken language. After this, they can be taught to figure out phonics and sound-spelling correspondences. It is interesting to note in this context that decodable books don’t directly teach phonemic awareness.

Instead, they use phonics lessons your child has already learned, allowing them to decode words with ease. You need these texts to help them build their sound blending and sound isolation skills.

• Phonics Structures

Any newly acquired skill should be practiced regularly to maintain its proficiency. Similarly, children must apply their knowledge of phonics in different settings to develop their reading skills. With decodable readers, they can practice their reading skills effortlessly. These books utilize different letter patterns or letter combinations that students already know, helping them build their sound-spelling relationships, which, in turn, enhance their reading fluency.

• Clear Instructions

Decodable books allow students to follow a proper set of phonics patterns. As a teacher, you also get the opportunity to work closely with your students through different stages of their learning and monitor their progress. Even parents can use these books at home to help their children practice the patterns they’ve learned.

• Better Focus

Scientific studies show that strong readers can easily decode words while reading. With the help of decodable readers, you can impart clear and engaging instructions on phonics structures. You can make your class practice the phonics patterns continuously.

The advantage is that these texts focus on one learning strategy at a time. As a result, children don’t feel frustrated or neglected. Slow learners can concentrate on picture cues to identify words. Others can pay attention to comprehension, featuring easy-to-read sentences.

A structured approach to teaching reading can be highly beneficial. Decodable books can be the ideal tool in this context. These can motivate children to read and learn to read more. Because these texts incorporate familiar words or sounds, students continue to enjoy their learning progress. They look forward to reading their books independently. It gives them a sense of confidence and power. However, these activities should not be done unsupervised. You need to guide them to ensure a better learning experience.

In this digital era, where reels and sensational online content are ruling high, parents are concerned about online games that are beneficial for their kids. Studies show that most children in the age bracket of 8 and 12 spend close to 5 hours browsing their mobile or desktop screens.

Hence, as a parent, you need to check if your kid is indulging in correct activities.  Today, there are several online games, but one that has the most academic value and is safe is the jigsaw puzzle. That aside, there are several other benefits too that we will discuss in this article.

Reasons parents should invest in safe educational online games

The digital world has both the good and the bad! Hence, it’s not unnatural to come across inappropriate games that can affect your kid’s mental health by exposing them to violence and unwanted content. Leading pediatricians think that interactive and skill-based game play is far better than passive screen time. It is because these games promote brain development.

Hence, educational online games for kids, such as jigsaw puzzles, keep them engaged in a fun and good way. They don’t carry the threat of incorrect content that can affect the mental stability of children.

The Academic Value of Jigsaw Puzzles

When all the colorful pieces of a jigsaw puzzle are taken apart, it has an engaging power–it is a powerful tool for cognitive development. Mental health experts believe that jigsaw puzzles are a type of game that can support visual-spatial reasoning skills.

Many studies have linked these skills to better performance in STEM subjects like math and science. Kids get to focus, solve problems, and retrieve their memories through these games that sharpen their minds.

That is not all. The game also enables kids to identify various shapes and helps to refine their motor skills. If a student is slightly older, the advanced-level jigsaw puzzle games help them develop a creative and analytical mind.

Additionally, these games aren’t like the fast-paced games that only cater to an adrenaline rush. Instead, they help a child to stay grounded and develop confidence. This means they can approach a complex situation with the mindset to either solve it or learn from it.

How Jigsaw Puzzles Support Emotional Growth

Lastly, the jigsaw puzzle games boost a child’s emotional health by adding to the prevalence of their PCEs (positive childhood experiences). Just the feeling of them enjoying the game with their parents and siblings builds positive self-esteem, confidence, and a happy mindset.

These kids are less likely to be subject to negative self-talk and a depressive thought loop. These games help kids to grow up with a problem-solving mind that later helps in their academic and work lives as well.

A Safer Path Forward

Parents and teachers are accountable for a child’s correct mental and emotional health development. Hence, amongst a sea of fast-paced and subpar online games, they struggle to find a game that is safe and has educational value. Online jigsaw puzzles can help in a myriad of ways. Other than helping the mind to stay active, alert, and sharp, it also helps kids grow up strong, empathic, and happy.