Reading Together in the Short-Video Era: Challenges and Opportunities for Early Childhood

In an age dominated by short-form platforms like TikTok and YouTube Shorts, reading habits among young children are facing new challenges. Children are now more attracted to fast-moving visual content than to picture books that require focus and imagination. This shift has made many parents and educators worried about declining reading interest during the critical period of language and cognitive development.

However, this does not mean that reading culture must lose to digital trends. In fact, it is the perfect time to adapt literacy strategies to be more relevant. Story reading can be integrated with digital media such as interactive e-books or animated story videos as long as parents provide guidance to ensure comprehension rather than passive viewing.

Family “reading time” can be made more exciting through creative approaches, such as weekly story challenges where children retell stories in their own words. This activity not only enhances comprehension but also builds communication skills and critical thinking.

Early childhood educators can act as content guides rather than traditional instructors. They can use the popularity of short videos to share reading tips, recommend children’s books, or even create simple book recaps designed for young audiences. This keeps reading habits alive and relevant in the digital age.

Reading together remains the cornerstone of language, empathy, and imagination development. In this fast-paced world, the key is not to reject technology, but to use it wisely to make literacy meaningful again.