Who is reading to their preschool children?

Members of families that are at or below the poverty threshold were less likely to read to their pre-kindergarten age children than those above the poverty threshold.

Although the percentage of pre-kindergarten children being read to by a family member increased over time, minorities were less likely to be read to than whites.

• The percentage of families at or below the poverty level who read to their pre-kindergarten age children declined slightly from 2001 to 2007.
• The percentage of families above the poverty threshold who read to their pre-kindergarten age children rose from 1993 to 2001 and remained steady to 2007.

• Overall, 83% of pre-kindergarten children were read to three or more times a week in 2007.
• The percentage of Hispanic pre-kindergarten age children being read to by a family member decreased slightly from 2001 to 2007.