The Role of Parents in Improving Children's Reading Skills in the Digital Era

Abstract

This study aims to examine the role of parents in enhancing children's reading skills in the digital era. The advancement of digital technology has significantly altered children's learning patterns, with the use of gadgets and digital media increasingly dominating daily activities. This situation presents both challenges and opportunities for children's literacy development, particularly regarding reading proficiency. Consequently, parental involvement is crucial in guiding, supporting, and fostering positive reading habits within the family environment. This research employs a literature review method with a theoretical approach, utilizing "listen-and-note" techniques. Data were gathered from various sources such as books, scholarly journals, and research articles relevant to the topics of parental roles and child literacy in the digital era. Data analysis involved examining, categorizing, and interpreting various theories and findings from previous studies to gain a comprehensive understanding. The study reveals that parents play a vital role as role models, guides, facilitators, and supervisors in improving their children's reading skills. Activities such as reading books aloud, creating a literacy-rich home environment, and supervising digital technology usage have been shown to boost reading interest, language proficiency, and reading comprehension. Furthermore, digital literacy is a critical aspect that needs to be cultivated so that children can use technology wisely and educationally. In conclusion, the successful enhancement of children's reading skills in the digital era relies heavily on active parental involvement and a supportive family environment. Collaboration among parents, schools, and the community is essential to building a sustainable literacy culture.