At Book Dash our work is big and bold, but it’s supported by a significant body of evidence.
Research shows that owning books from a young age can change the trajectory of a child’s life. When children own books, it enables and increases book sharing and responsive parenting, which helps oral language and secure attachment develop and prepares children for school.
As they move through life, children with books at home perform better across school subjects, complete more years of schooling, have better economic prospects and access better jobs in adulthood.
Books make the biggest difference in the most disadvantaged households. And each additional book can lead to greater benefit – especially in homes with just a few books to start. Ultimately, books are a powerful and cost-effective tool to reduce inequality and promote social mobility.
Our publication, Books in Children’s Hands and Homes: an Evidence-Based Literacy Intervention, summarises the research on early years book ownership: how it can impact a child’s development, why it is a powerful tool and a cost-effective intervention, and why it is sorely needed in South Africa today.
It can be used by implementing organisations, funders and government decision-makers who are interested in improving learning and development outcomes for young children. Watch the short video above, download the full report or the one-page summary. Use it to inform your work or help you advocate for support.
If you reference this publication, please cite:
Huston, K. (2023). Books in children’s hands and homes: An evidence-based literacy intervention. A summary of research on the benefits of book ownership for preschool children and the need to increase book ownership in South Africa. Book Dash: Cape Town. Accessed at bookdash.org/research-and-evidence-base/
