ABSTRACT
AIM: Understanding the nature of parent-child shared reading (SR) practices is important to reach children's developmental potential and subsequent achievement. We evaluated the parental attitudes and practices, associated variables and barriers related to SR. METHODS: This prospective study enrolled 624 parents of children aged 1-72 months who presented to a tertiary hospital for well-child care or acute minor illness. Face-to-face interviews were conducted using a questionnaire. RESULTS: The median age for starting SR was 12 (0-72) months. Daily SR activities were provided by 29.5% of the parents. Owning >10 children's books, higher socioeconomic status, attending pre-school/kindergarten and being a single child were associated with daily reading (P < 0.001). In total, 36.5% of the parents reported that they had not yet started SR and planned to start SR when their children reached a median age of 20.5 (2-72) months. The most commonly reported barriers were time constraints and the perception that their child was too young. Almost 10% of the parents had received an SR recommendation. Parents who had received a recommendation and those who had a habit of self-reading multiple times a week were more likely to begin SR at younger child age and to read daily (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated low rates of parent-child SR activities in early childhood, particularly in the first years of life, in Turkey. Our findings emphasise the need for a national strategy integrated into the healthcare system to promote SR.
