Researchers examined over 360 families with children aged 1–6 years to understand what shapes shared reading habits and whether those habits actually build a child's independent enthusiasm for books. The study, published in Frontiers in Pediatrics, discovered that nearly half of families read to their young children daily, with another 29% doing so several times a week—most often during evening routines.
The key finding: the factors that predict whether parents read aloud are different from the factors that predict whether children develop their own love of reading.
Parent education matters for reading aloud—but not for creating young readers
Mothers with university degrees were 14 times more likely to read regularly to their children than those with high school education. This is an important gap, but it tells only part of the story. When researchers looked at whether children actually engaged independently with books—picking them up on their own, wanting stories, showing genuine interest—parental education level made little difference.
What actually builds a child's love of books
Children were significantly more likely to engage independently with books when: their parents actively read aloud to them; books were accessible at home; at least one parent had their own regular reading habit; and the child was older with more developed skills. The critical insight is that modeling matters more than credentials. Your child absorbs whether reading is valued in your home by watching what you do, not by your educational background.
For Singapore families, this shifts what you need to focus on
The research suggests you don't need formal qualifications to raise a reader. What you need is consistency and visibility. Whether you work as a domestic helper, run a hawker stall, or work in a corporate office, you can build this habit. The study shows this is achievable across different education and income levels—47% of families were reading daily.
Create a reading culture this week
- Start a 10-minute bedtime reading routine at the same time each evening, even with one picture book on repeat.
- Keep books physically accessible where your child plays, not stored away or out of reach.
- Read something yourself—a book, newspaper, or even a parenting article—where your child can see you doing it regularly.