Reading Aloud at Home
Across all ages, the overwhelming majority of kids (83%) say they love(d) being read books aloud at home or like(d) it a lot.
Degree to Which Children Enjoy(ed) Being Read Books Aloud at Home Base: Children Ages 6–17 Who Are or Were Read Books Aloud at Home
The top reason children say they enjoy being read aloud to is because it’s a special time with their parents.
Reasons Kids Enjoy(ed) Being Read to Aloud at Home Base: Children Ages 6–17 Who Are or Were Read Books Aloud at Home and Love(d) It or Like(d) It a Lot
“It makes me feel happy and close to my mummy when she reads to me.”
— 6-year-old boy, East of England
Among kids ages 6–11 whose parents no longer read books aloud at home, nearly one-third (31%) did not want their parents to stop.
Percentage of Children Who Say They “Wanted Reading Aloud to Continue” Base: Children Ages 6–11 Who Were Read Books Aloud at Home
“My mum and dad brought the books to life for me.”
— 8-year-old girl, Greater London
Overall, nine in 10 parents (89%) say their children are read books aloud at home before age 6, primarily to encourage reading enjoyment and foster development of language skills.
Percentage of Parents Who Say Their Child Was Read Books Aloud at Home Before Age 6 and Reasons Reading Aloud Started Base: Parents of Children Ages 0–17
“Books help with language development and reading aloud is a quiet bonding time.”
— Mother, 3-year-old boy, East of England
About one in five parents of children ages 6–17 (21%) stopped reading aloud to their children before age 9, most often citing reasons related to their child being able to read independently.
Percentage of Parents Who Say Their Child Stopped Being Read Books Aloud at Home Before Age 9 and Reasons Reading Aloud Stopped Base: Parents of Children Ages 6–17
“Reading time was comforting when I didn’t know how to read.”
— 8-year-old girl, Greater London
More than three-quarters of children ages 0–5 (77%) are read aloud to at home 5–7 days a week. This declines to fewer than four in 10 kids ages 6–8 (37%), and one in five kids ages 9–11 (20%).
Frequency with Which Parents Say Their Child Is Read Books Aloud at Home Base: Parents of Children Ages 0–17
“She squeals and laughs when being read to.”
— Father, 2-year-old girl, Scotland
SPOTLIGHT: Reading with Kids from Birth
Three-quarters of parents of children ages 0–5 (75%) say they started reading aloud to their child before age one, yet only 33% say they began before the age of three months.
Age of Child When Reading Books Aloud at Home Started Base: Parents of Children Ages 0–5
“I have read to my children pretty much from birth, and they love to choose a book for me to read to them.”
— Mother, 4-year-old boy, East Midlands
Less than half of parents of children ages 0–5 (41%) received the advice that children should be read aloud to from birth, with parents from the lowest-income households more likely to receive this advice than parents from higher-income households.
Percentage of Parents Who Received Advice That Children Should Be Read Aloud to from Birth Base: Parents of Children Ages 0–5
“Some of my favourite childhood memories are of being lost in a book. I’d like her to have that joy.”
— Mother, 5-year-old girl, Scotland
Among parents who received advice that children should be read aloud to from birth, the most common sources of this advice include Bookstart, friends and family.
Sources of Advice That Children Should Be Read Aloud to from Birth Base: Parents of Children Ages 0–5 Who Received This Advice When Their Child Was a Baby
“I loved the time we spent curled up reading and laughing and learning to read!”
— 13-year-old girl, Yorkshire and the Humber
Parents say that reading books aloud to children is a top way to develop a child’s language skills. Talking—both in general and about books—along with building reading into daily routines, and singing, are also among the top five activities parents think kids should experience for language development.
Percentage of Parents Who Say Each Activity is Extremely/Very Important in Developing Child’s Language Skills Base: Parents of Children Ages 0–5
“I think reading out loud is good so you can improve your reading and spelling.”
— 9-year-old boy, South East
Other activities, like watching TV or videos on YouTube, or using digital devices and apps are deemed far less important in developing language skills.
Percentage of Parents Who Say Each Activity Is Extremely/Very Important in Developing Child’s Language Skills Base: Parents of Children Ages 0–5
“Being read to got me into loving books.”
— 15-year-old girl, South West
Of the activities cited by parents as the most important for early language development, in many cases these experiences are not happening 5–7 days a week.
Comparison of Parents’ Views on the Importance of Activities to Develop Child’s Language Skills and Whether Each Happens at Home 5–7 Days a Week Base: Parents of Children Ages 0–5
“It was a nice time when we were read to. And I could learn the words, too.”
— 14-year-old boy, North East
Still, parents of children ages 0–5 are the most likely to say it is important for their kids to read books for fun; 98% agree, compared with 88% of parents of kids ages 6–17.
Parents’ Views on Importance of Child Reading Books for Fun Base: Parents of Children Ages 0–17
“It’s fun and chills me out.”
— 8-year-old boy, North West
Parents of children ages 0–5 say developing vocabulary and language skills and using their imagination are the top benefits they want their kids to gain from reading books for fun. Half of parents (50%) say that spending time away from technology is a top benefit.
Percentage of Parents Who Say Each Is a Top Benefit They Want Their Child to Get from Reading Books for Fun Base: Parents of Children Ages 0–5
“It felt so warm, so spirit-rising!”
— 11-year-old boy, Yorkshire and the Humber
Books in the home compete with the electronic devices accessible to and used by many children ages 0–5.
Percentage of Parents Who Report Their Child Uses Each Device at Home Base: Parents of Children Ages 0–5
“I think as he gets older, he will find electronic devices detract from his reading time.”
— Mother, 5-year-old boy, South East
