Loreto Núñez: 'Experimenting with the playful power of language'

Loreto Núñez, who leads the Romandy section of the Swiss Institute for Youth and Media (SIYM) in Lausanne, expressed concern over young children's increasing confusion between the digital and physical worlds. She recounted an incident on a train where a child attempted to "zoom in" on cows outside the window, mimicking smartphone gestures.

This scene deeply affected Núñez, prompting her to stress the critical role of early reading in a child's development. "Observing toddlers who already master digital tools is concerning," she stated. "We must constantly remind them that language development comes through reading from the earliest age."

Núñez advocates for reading as a fundamental activity that not only fosters language skills but also strengthens the relationship between children and their caregivers. The SIYM, a national center dedicated to promoting reading among children and adolescents, champions this approach.

Her observations underscore a growing challenge in the digital age: ensuring that children develop essential language and cognitive skills through traditional means like reading, even as they become increasingly adept with technology. The institute aims to promote reading as a vital component of healthy childhood development.