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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: Little or no detectable change

  
Little or no detectable change
Learn more about our data release schedule

Most Recent Data:
56.9 percent (2022-23)

Target:
62.8 percent 1

Desired Direction:
Increase desired

Baseline:
57.9 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 2

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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

Learn more about data measurement for this objective

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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1. Target has been revised. See Data Methodology and Measurement for more information.

2. Baseline has been revised. See Data Methodology and Measurement for more information.