Shared Book Reading positively impacts these strategy goals:
SUMMARY
Shared Book Reading Programs are an effective state strategy to impact:
Shared book reading programs provide free, age-appropriate books to children and families with training and guidance on how to read together. These programs promote nurturing and responsive child-parent relationships through the frequent practice of shared reading and the accumulation of literacy resources at home. Shared book reading programs also improve developmental outcomes by improving child language and vocabulary skills. States can support them by leveraging federal funding or making direct investments into the programs.
By providing access to children’s books and parental training on how to read effectively, shared book reading programs can promote family bonding experiences and positive child development. There are many local shared book reading programs, and some have been implemented statewide. States can support evidence-based shared book reading programs through direct state investments, and by leveraging federal funds through CHIP and the Maternal and Child Health Block Grant.
The current evidence base does not provide clear guidance for how states can best support shared book reading programs, and therefore, these programs are classified as a strategy— rather than a policy—for improving outcomes in the prenatal-to-3 period.
Download the Complete Evidence Review
Shared Book Reading Programs Evidence Review (PDF)
Download the 2-Page Summary
Summary of the Rigorous Research on Shared Book Reading Programs (PDF)
Note: A literature search complete as of February 28, 2025 found no new strong, causal studies to add to the evidence base in this review, thus the evidence of effectiveness and alignment with policy goals remains unchanged from October 2024.
Recommended Citation:
Prenatal-to-3 Policy Impact Center. (2024). Prenatal-to-3 policy clearinghouse evidence review: Shared book reading programs. Peabody College of Education and Human Development, Vanderbilt University. https://pn3policy.org/policy-clearinghouse/shared-book-reading-programs
Updated October 2024
