Professor Minna Torppa believes that reading is a vital skill that can decline when young people have numerous competing activities for their time. She recalls her childhood in the 1980s, which she describes as a golden age for bookworms. During this time, children’s leisure time was mainly spent reading because there were limited alternative activities available.
Reading was a popular pastime among young people, especially in rural areas where there were few leisure activities. Children would often engage in activities such as Levyraati, visiting the library car, and skiing during their childhood and youth. According to Torppa, books were the primary form of entertainment during that era.
Nowadays, with technology and screens dominating leisure time for children and young people, reading can sometimes be overlooked. However, Torppa’s reflections remind us of the importance of reading and how it has shaped her childhood experiences.
Torppa emphasizes the irreplaceable nature of books, stating that neither speech nor pictures can replicate the immersive experience of reading a book.
In conclusion, Professor Minna Torppa encourages parents to prioritize reading as a valuable skill for their children to develop while growing up. By doing so, they can foster a love for books that will benefit them throughout their lives.
