Story perspectives

2025's Word of the Year: Concerns Over Kids' Reading

12/30/2025

Summary

Story summary

In 2025, Merriam-Webster named “slop” as the word of the year, reflecting concerns about cognitive decline.
Reports indicate that only a third of children aged five to ten read for enjoyment regularly.
Parents are exploring methods to engage their children in reading, including ChatGPT storytelling and reading cookbooks together.
Experts urge making reading enjoyable and establishing a routine, and advise modeling reading to foster a love for books.

1 of 1

Story summary

In 2025, Merriam-Webster named “slop” as the word of the year, reflecting concerns about cognitive decline.
Reports indicate that only a third of children aged five to ten read for enjoyment regularly.
Parents are exploring methods to engage their children in reading, including ChatGPT storytelling and reading cookbooks together.
Experts urge making reading enjoyable and establishing a routine, and advise modeling reading to foster a love for books.