Parent Reading to Preschoolers Lags Since Pandemic
A national study finds frequent reading to preschool-age children has not recovered from pandemic-era declines.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Child Care
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A study by the National Institute for Early Education Research analyzed five years of survey data from American parents. It found the share of preschool-age children read to frequently has not exceeded 75% since fall 2020, down from about 85% in 2019.
Why it matters
Frequent shared reading is closely tied to early learning, and the gap has persisted years after pandemic disruptions to routines, libraries, and preschool enrollment. Parent education, household income, enrollment in early learning programs, and screen time all shape how often children are read to.
Survey data across five years shows frequent reading to preschoolers fell from about 85% in 2019 to 69% in the most recent data. Only one-third of parents report being very satisfied with how much they read to their children.
The players
National Institute for Early Education Research
A research center that studies early childhood education policy and programs, and that conducted this analysis of parent survey data.
Steven Barnett
A Rutgers University economist and early childhood education researcher who co-authored the study.
The details
Higher parent education and household income were the strongest indicators of frequent reading, and enrollment in an early learning program was linked to higher odds of it. Screen time was strongly associated with less frequent reading, and the racial gap between Black and white households disappeared after adjusting for income, daily activities, and books in the home.
Timeline
2019: About 85% of preschool-age children were read to at least three times a week.
Fall 2020 to 2025: Frequent reading held at or below 75%.
Post-pandemic: Reading frequency has not recovered to prior levels.
Early Learning Trend
The National Institute for Early Education Research has tracked early childhood learning nationally for years, and this study extends that work by showing a pandemic-era drop in shared reading has not reversed. The persistence of the gap points to lasting changes in home routines, library access, and preschool enrollment.
Parents who read with children several times a week are following a habit linked to early learning, while those who do not can build short, regular reading into daily routines. Screen time and household routines are among the factors the study associates with how often reading happens.
The takeaway
Consistent reading is one of the simplest everyday habits linked to early learning, and families can protect it by limiting screens and keeping books at home. The study suggests that routine, not just access, is what keeps reading frequency up.
Further reading
Explore more on Child Care to see how early learning habits shape children's development.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Opelika-Auburn News.
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Do you read to your preschool-age child at least three times a week?
