How reading evolves in the early years: longitudinal insights from families

This research, based on a longitudinal qualitative study of 22 families on low incomes, highlights how reading behaviours and attitudes evolve as children grow, shaped by distinct needs and circumstances. While reading plays multiple, overlapping roles at each stage of early childhood – roles such as bonding, learning and play – different aspects of reading take on greater significance at different developmental stages. 

The visual below shows the most prominent way reading features in the lives of children as they grow. 

In this briefing we go through each stage within these early years in turn, looking at the family context, what reading and sharing stories look like, and experiences of support. We do this through the voices of families, bringing to life their reading journeys. 

Our research highlights that supporting families as they navigate the different parts of the early years journey requires engagement at different points, tailored to their specific needs at the time. 

Our Bookstart programmes focus on the early years as we know how important it is to start reading and sharing stories early. Thanks to an extraordinary network of partners including local authorities, early years settings, schools, libraries and more across England, Wales and Northern Ireland we’re able to reach families where they are, in their local communities. As outlined in the diagram below, our programmes span different stages to meet needs at these specific moments, through curated and age-appropriate books and resources.