Is Reading Contagious? Examining Parents’ and Children’s Reading Attitudes and Behaviors

On July 13, 2016, AIR hosted a presentation and discussion that examined whether parents’ reading attitudes and behaviors are shared by their children—that is, if reading attitudes and behaviors are “contagious.”

When children have positive attitudes and behavior towards reading, they generally also demonstrate strong reading skills. Strong reading skills enable children to access and learn content in a variety of subjects and reap a host of other academic and nonacademic benefits. Thus, it is of fundamental importance to ensure that children are motivated to read from an early age.

Using data from the 2011 Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS), the webinar addressed the following questions, looking across fourth-grade students and their parents in 50 diverse education systems:

  • Do children and parents enjoy reading and read frequently for fun?
  • Do children share their parents’ positive reading attitudes and behaviors?
  • Do some children—i.e., girls compared to boys, or children whose parents have a university degree compared to those whose don’t—share their parents’ positive reading attitudes and behaviors more than others?

This webinar can inform policy efforts to promote positive reading attitudes and behaviors in children.

Panelists

Presenter: Maria Stephens, Senior Researcher, American Institutes for Research

Presenter: Ebru Erberber, Principal Researcher, American Institutes for Research

Discussant: Laurie Elish-Piper, Dean and Distinguished Teaching Professor & Presidential Engagement Professor, College of Education, Northern Illinois University

Moderator: Sharlyn Ferguson, Research Associate, American Institutes for Research

About the RISE Webinar Series

RISE logoThe Research on International Studies in Education (RISE) Webinar Series showcases research using data from international studies and promotes sharing and discussion about how data-based evidence can be used for improving educational outcomes. The RISE Webinar Series is organized by AIR. To receive emails about RISE and invitations to upcoming webinars, please email RISE@air.org.