Research reveals decline in parents engaging in daily activities that support early literacy

New research from the National Literacy Trust has found that socioeconomic pressures, alongside gaps in confidence and knowledge, are contributing to a decline in parents’ engagement with activities that support early literacy. In a survey of 3,000 parents of 0–5 year olds, fewer than half said they read daily with their children (45.9%), just over half played daily (51.6%), and while chatting daily remains most common (70.2%), all three activities have fallen sharply since 2019 (22%). Key barriers include lack of time due to work, the cost of activities, limited local opportunities, and insufficient family or community support, with the greatest challenges in disadvantaged communities where many children are starting school behind in communication, language, and literacy skills. The research highlights that what parents do to support literacy — both inside and outside the home — can have a greater impact on early language development than either income or socioeconomic status. Early engagement is crucial, as gaps in literacy skills can affect a child’s long-term life chances. The National Literacy Trust’s Early Words Matter campaign is supporting 250,000 pre-school children, particularly in areas affected by poverty and low literacy, through resources, events, and activities that strengthen parent-child engagement. Experts stress that sustained support and collective action are essential to ensure all children start school ready to thrive. Read more here.