In 2024, the American Academy of Pediatrics released a revised policy statement on literacy promotion in pediatric primary care that builds on the 2014 AAP Policy Statement “Literacy Promotion: An Essential Component of Primary Care Practice”. The revised policy statement incorporates the plethora of research that has emerged since the first statement,and the new accompanying technical report outlines these findings. Based on this research, the AAP continues to recommend that pediatricians and advanced care providers promote literacy development during all well visits from birth throughat least kindergarten entry.
New areas of discussion in the revised policy statement include: how shared reading is a positive childhood experience that strengthens early relationships; how all families benefit from high-qualityand diverse books; how literacy promotion is especially important for families facing social, systemic,and socioeconomic risks; and how literacy promotion has a positive impact on providers. It also includes an expanded call for funding for program support, technical assistance, provider time,and books for all children from birth to kindergarten entry.
Why should pediatric clinicians promote early literacy?
- Research shows that reading with young children is a foundational activity that builds both their language and literacy skills and enhances relationships between them and their caregivers, ultimately leading to lifelong benefits.
- A young child’s early language experience predicts their early academic success. However, national data reveal that many children are missing early shared reading exposure and are not attaining important literacy skills.
- Only about 40% of all American children from birth to age 5 are read to daily. In families dealing with economic hardship, this number is even lower as they face increased systemic and structural barriers making daily shared reading more difficult.
- Only about 30% of all children in the United States and only 20% of those who receive free or reduced lunch develop reading proficiency by 4th grade entry.
- Pediatric clinicians have a unique opportunity to promote early literacy, well before children enter the classroom,because over 90% of children are seen in pediatric primary care in the first 3 years of life.
- There is strong evidence that literacy promotion delivered by pediatric clinicians in this age group has positive effects on developmental outcomes.
- Studies show that when pediatric clinicians share guidance about the importance of reading and talking with young children and provide children’s books, parents read more with their young child,and their child’s early language and early literacy skills grow.
- Sharing books is a joyful activity that allows pediatric clinicians to foster moments of connection in families and to promote positivity and parental efficacy.
- Promoting shared reading also benefits pediatric clinicians, helping bring joy into the exam room while enhancing their ability to assess family relationships and child development through interacting with books.
Resources
Last Updated
04/22/2026
Source
American Academy of Pediatrics