the most difficult thing is to get children off gadgets
Malang, East Java (ANTARA) – Excessive use of gadgets or gadgets by children is considered to be one of the biggest challenges in efforts to increase interest in reading in the current technological era.
Chairman of the Greater Malang Community Reading Park (FKTBM) Communication Forum Santoso Mahargono said that one of the biggest challenges to increasing children’s interest in reading is excessive use of gadgets without supervision.
“Right now, the most difficult thing is to get children off gadgets,” Santoso told ANTARA, in Malang City, East Java, Sunday.
Santoso explained that as a literacy activist in Malang City, he realized that neither parents nor literacy activists could simply force children to give up their gadgets and hand them reading books.
According to Santoso, there are several things that need to be done first, such as inviting the children to play, and slowly directing them to read books that are appropriate for their age.
“We invite children to play until they forget their gadgets. Then, we encourage them to read,” said Santoso.
However, continued Santoso, what these literacy activists did was only to provide an example because the important key to increasing children’s interest in reading rests on the role of each child’s parents.
“It all starts at home. When parents don’t direct them, their children will return to playing with gadgets and are reluctant to read books,” said Santoso.
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Santoso added that, with today’s rapidly developing technology, this cannot be avoided. With the convenience of this technology, it is hoped that it can be used with benefits equivalent to reading.
In an effort to increase community literacy in the Greater Malang area, which is a combination of Malang City, Malang Regency and Batu City, FKTBM has a network of reading parks in 135 locations.
The need for books in the reading park is mostly supplied from donations from the community in the Greater Malang area. However, until now, the existing books are still felt to be lacking, especially children’s books.
“Most of those who donated were books for adults, while the need was greater for children,” said Santoso.
The process of collecting books donated by the community is taken from house to house. Santoso also came up with the idea Go Readto provide convenience services for people who will donate the books.
“To collect book donations, there is Go Read, which consists of volunteers only. They are not paid, all of their intention is to increase people’s interest in reading,” said Santoso.
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Reporter: Vicki Febrianto
Editor: Budhi Santoso
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