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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

Increase the proportion of children whose family read to them at least 4 days per week — EMC‑02

Status: Getting worse

  
Getting worse
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Most Recent Data:
55.1 percent (2020-21)

Target:
63.2 percent

Desired Direction:
Increase desired

Baseline:
58.3 percent of children aged 5 years and under had parents or caregivers who reported that someone in their family read to the child 4 or more days in the past week in 2016-17

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Increase the proportion of children whose family read to them at least 4 days per week

Target-Setting Method
Percentage point improvement

Data Source:  National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH), HRSA/MCHB

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Summary

Reading to young children improves their language and literacy skills, and it’s linked to both better behavior and better health. Reading out loud is also a way for parents and children to share routines and regular positive interactions. Early intervention programs and national initiatives can help raise awareness about the importance of reading to children.

Topics:  Children, Child and Adolescent Development, Parents or Caregivers, Social and Community Context

Workgroup: Early and Middle Childhood Workgroup

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