Overview

• A December 2024 survey reveals a sharp decline in parents reading aloud to young children, dropping from 64% in 2012 to 41% today.
• Gen Z parents are less likely than older generations to view reading aloud as enjoyable, often seeing it as a learning task rather than a fun activity.
• Boys are read to significantly less often than girls, with only 29% of boys under two receiving daily story time compared to 44% of girls.
• Experts emphasize the developmental benefits of reading aloud, noting children read to daily are nearly three times more likely to choose to read independently.
• Policy recommendations include integrating reading for enjoyment into school curriculums and providing teacher training to foster a love of books.