FEATURE
Engaging young minds
It ’ s a fact .
Many of today ’ s youth can be found glued to screens — cellphones , tablets , computers , television and gaming consoles . According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry , on average , children ages 8-12 in the United States spend four to six hours a day watching or using screens , and teens spend up to nine hours .
But not all youth habitually spend their time in front of screens . Some garden , paint , take center stage … and even read as pastimes .
ON THE BOOKSHELF
Reading provides entertainment , exploration of new things
Story by Ida Brown Magazine Editor
Photos by Terrell Clark
Next to her cat ears , Constance Wadley ’ s go-to accessory is a book .
A book ?
Yes , a book .
While the 13-year-old may not consider the books she carries with her everywhere as accessories , they are very much part of her persona .
And she is in good company .
A recent Gallup poll found American adults are reading fewer books than they once did , but young adults are still reading more than average .
“ I ’ ve always loved reading . When I read , I get so caught up into it that I tune out everything else , especially if it ’ s a really good book ,” said Constance , a homeschooler who will begin eighth grade in the fall .
Books with animals are her favorite genre .
“ I love animals !” she said , adding , “ Especially cats .”
Some books Constance enjoys reading are fantasy , where the animal characters can talk . Others are how-to books that provide information on how to care for a particular animal .
“ It ’ s a really good mix of books ,” she said .
Her bed is her favorite place to read , especially under the covers .
“ Sometimes when I ’ m under the covers , the cat comes in ,” she said , laughing .
Reading in bed , particularly at night , sometimes leads to Constance reading for hours .
“ I ’ ll stay up way too late , like until midnight ,” she said . “ But I also read during the day .”
Through reading , Constance has
18 • MERIDIAN LIFE