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Helping Parents Boost Children’s Language Through Everyday Reading: An Accessible Online Program
What is it about?
Many parents are told to read with their children, but fewer are shown how to turn reading into a powerful learning moment. This study tested an online program called DREAM (Dialogic Reading Education through Accessible Modules), designed to teach caregivers how to make shared book reading more interactive and language-rich. Dialogic reading is an approach where adults prompt children with questions, respond to what they say, and build on their answers to create back-and-forth conversations. Instead of just reading the words on the page, caregivers learn to turn reading into a dialogue that helps children practice talking and thinking. In this study, 42 families with children ages 3–5 were randomly assigned to either complete the DREAM program or continue reading as usual. The program included short, self-paced online modules with videos, examples, and practice activities. Caregivers who completed DREAM asked more questions, used more effective reading strategies, and engaged their children in more conversations. Their children also talked more and participated more during reading sessions. These findings show that an accessible, fully online program can help families improve how they read together and support children’s language development in everyday routines
Why is it important?
Early language skills are critical for children’s success in school and beyond, and shared book reading is one of the most common ways families support development. However, many caregiver programs are difficult to access due to time, cost, or the need for in-person training. This study shows that a brief, fully online program can successfully teach caregivers how to use evidence-based strategies during reading and that these changes lead to meaningful improvements in children’s communication. By making high-quality support more accessible, programs like DREAM have the potential to reach more families and strengthen early language development at scale.