Less than half of Utah’s third grade children are proficient in reading and trends in childhood literacy in the United States continue to decline. Does this matter?
Yes! Childhood literacy is critical for the health and wellness of a child over their lifespan. In 2023, the Yale Child Study Center released the report “Reading for Life: The Impact of Youth Literacy on Health Outcomes.” This report outlines the impact of childhood literacy as a powerful factor in physical and mental health.
Pediatricians across Utah have taken note and are increasingly focused on efforts to support parents and families in developing literacy nurturing interactions. Many practices across the state now participate in Reach Out and Read, an evidence-based initiative to distribute age-appropriate books at checkup visits and promote language-based interactions. And it works! Children exposed at young, formative ages to rich, nurturing language-based interactions have improved language development and literacy.
But why does it work?
In a landmark study in 2007, a team of researchers from the University of Washington evaluated the impact of baby videos designed to advance language development. They found that these videos did not work at all. In fact, children exposed to them as infants and toddlers understood six to eight fewer words on average when they were 17-24 months old than did the group that did not get the intervention.
What is the difference? Why does Reach out and Read consistently over many studies produce incredible outcomes, while videos designed to boost language outcomes may cause harm?
In short, the difference is the parent, family member, teacher or other adult caregiver nurturing love and literacy into a child’s life and health.
Nurturing relationships change things. In fact, nurturing changes the actual expression of the genetics of a child early in life. Children with safe, stable, nurturing relationships are buffered against toxic stresses in life and are much more likely to achieve literacy outcomes and have improved short term health, and subsequently have increased lifelong health and wellness.
What can we do to make a positive impact?
Yes, we must invest in education, supporting teachers not only with skills but also with an increased workforce with time to connect with children. Yes, we must support our preschool education and child care with similar workforce and skills. And, yes, most of all, we must support families that are caring for infants and young children with policies that support basic needs and skills so they have both time and know-how to disengage from digital distractions and engage with their innate sense of nurturing. It is not time to critically judge those in these roles. It is time to support them. Nurturing the nurturers is the path to changing the lives of children.
Take a moment to think back in your life. Who nurtured you with stories? Was it the story or the nurturer that changed your life? Was it both?
Take a moment to think back in your life to a child you nurtured. Were stories part of that experience? As you shared a story together, who was impacted more, the child or you?
Take a moment to think of a child in your life now. Have you shared a story with that child recently?
Our lives are created by the richness of our nurturing relationships and the stories we share and create together. They are inseparably woven together. They are what makes us who we are. They will also continue to critically shape our future as a society. We cannot afford to relinquish this obligation to digital or artificial solutions alone. Most of all, we cannot afford to miss this opportunity to connect with our children.