New research from the UK reveals that fewer parents are reading aloud to their children, with this issue particularly acute with Gen Z parents.
Reading to children is an important milestone for early brain development, and also a special opportunity for child and caregiver bonding.
There is extensive research showing that early language exposure is one of the strongest predictors of brain development, and that children who are exposed to more books are more likely to read for pleasure, as well as have more advanced literacy skills as teens.
What does this research show us?
The new research report from HarperCollins UK shows that:
- Only 43% of under-fours are read to on a regular basis, a steep decline from 64% in 2012.
- The issue is particularly pertinent for parents of boys, with more than one in five boys (22%) aged 0-2 are rarely or never read to, and only 29% of boys in this age group are read to daily, compared to 44% of girls.
- Many parents do not find enjoyment in reading to their children, with only 40% of parents saying it is “fun for me”.
- Gen Z parents, who grew up with technology, are significantly more likely than Millennials or Gen X to view reading as “more a subject to learn” rather than a fun or enriching activity.
- Parents are also facing increasing time pressures, with 34% of parents of 0-to-13s wishing they had more time to read to their children.
While disheartening, studies like this show us more clearly where the barriers to reading engagement lie. They allow us to understand current attitudes, and target responses that can support and help those parents to understand how valuable shared reading experiences are for their child – and how it can strengthen family bonds.
What can we do to turn this tide?
There are a range of actions that individuals, publishers, and governments can take to tackle this social issue:
- Spread the word: Reinforce the message to parents and caregivers that it’s never too late to start, or resume, reading with children.
- Get parents reading themselves: Studies show that positive role modelling and having books in the home has a direct positive effect on the reading attitudes and behaviours of children.
- Give children the freedom to choose what they read: Research shows that when children pick out a book themselves they are more likely to finish, and enjoy them.
- Support school libraries and librarians: Libraries play a critical role in fostering a love of reading in children and young people and need to be funded in schools around Australia, alongside dedicated and knowledgeable librarian staff.
- Scale up existing programs: There are already a range of programs doing the work of promoting the importance of reading to children including the Words Grow Minds program in South Australia, Better Beginnings in Western Australia and First Five Forever in Queensland.
Read the full media release and report from HarperCollins UK, as well as recent media coverage in The Guardian.