How shared reading supports executive function and self-regulation in the early years

Executive function is a set of different capabilities that support children’s purposeful, goal-directed thinking and behaviour, including inhibitory control, working memory, cognitive flexibility, metacognition and emotional regulation. Together these capabilities underpin self-regulation. These are the capabilities which help children focus, manage their emotions, remember, reflect on and respond to different experiences.

Executive function and self-regulation are key to children’s development, and evidence highlights they have a positive effect on both their academic achievement and socio-emotional growth. It also highlights the powerful role of shared reading: from neuroimaging studies to behavioural research, there is strong evidence to show that shared reading improves children’s memory, attention, flexibility and self-regulation. In this briefing we show how. 

Shared reading has the most impact on children’s development of these capabilities when adults share books frequently, responsively and interactively.

In our evidence-informed guide you will find:

• Research evidence about the different benefits of reading for executive function and self-regulation
• How early years professionals can promote these benefits through reading
• Practical tips to help you put it all into action
• A case example from the London Early Years Foundation (LEYF)
• Book recommendations 

To cite this report: BookTrust (2025) Reading, executive function and self-regulation: How shared reading builds key life skills in the early years. Leeds: BookTrust