Faced with the constant temptation of screens, children are increasingly abandoning good old paper books and the incredible stories they contain. Reading is, however, “fundamental” and “helps you live better,” argues writer and journalist Claudia Larochelle. In a recent documentary, she wonders how to revive this love of reading among young people, emphasizing its benefits in our lives.
“It seems like my kids can’t be bored anymore. As soon as they have a moment of freedom, rather than picking up a book, they go looking for a screen,” confides Claudia Larochelle in the documentary Reading is livingbroadcast on Savoir Média on Tuesday, on the occasion of World Book and Copyright Day.
Yet there are tons of books from the children’s author who has had an unconditional love for reading since her early childhood. It must be said that at the age of 14, reading helped him get through depression.
It’s true that there was no screen to change my focus when I started reading in the 1980s. It’s a big trap today, screens, it worries me as a mother.
Reading, she says, is allowing yourself to dream, to escape, to marvel. Reading means feeling less alone, feeling understood, finding answers to your questions. It is also a way to grow, to learn and to be better equipped to face the world.
“It’s true that there was no screen to change my focus when I started reading in the 1980s. It’s a big trap today, screens worry me as a mother », she emphasizes, admitting that she herself goes to her tablet more often to distract herself.
So, how do you make your 7 and 10 year old children understand how good reading is and will make them better citizens? Should she ban them from screens? Force them to read books? How can we pass on this love of reading to them? Is this his role, as a parent, or that of the school?
Approached by the director Michel Pelletier following his plea for reading published in The Press in 2022, Claudia Larochelle agreed to explore the subject on screen this time. By meeting teachers, writers, librarians, economists and even politicians, the journalist casts a wide net on the subject. She inevitably comes back to the level of literacy which leaves something to be desired in Quebec. It addresses the individual, but also collective, benefits of reading for our society. As summarized by Pierre Langlois, economist for the Quebec Literacy Foundation: “Literacy is a weapon of economic and social development. »
A shared role
The journalist also places great emphasis on possible solutions already implemented to give Quebecers a taste for reading again, from a very young age when they learn to read. In particular, she gives the floor to Kim Nunès, a teacher in a primary school in the Laurentians who makes it a point to put reading at the center of her teaching, even when learning mathematics.
“The teacher you come across plays a big role,” notes Claudia Larochelle, who also meets before our eyes the one who taught her to read and write. “Unfortunately, not all teachers like to read,” she continues. And even literature enthusiasts do not always have the time and means to transmit their love of books to students.
“The workload is enormous and there is a shortage of teachers. There are still many schools that don’t even have libraries and classrooms, and don’t have access to books. […] Schools do not have the strength to take on this role of transmitting reading alone,” says Claudia Larochelle.
And the speakers met for the documentary prove him right. Their advice: families should accompany children to the local bookstore or library, offer them books, and above all, take the time to read with them.
With this documentary, the journalist hopes to make parents aware of the role they must play. “Like me, many parents are tired, overwhelmed, and are already doing a lot. But I think there is always room for improvement. […] It is also up to us to establish a climate conducive to being captivated by books and for it to become something essential in the lives of our children. »
“Read to live” will be broadcast on Tuesday April 23 at 6 p.m. on Savoir media.