Research in generational literacy and education shows a clear pattern: children’s literacy levels are strongly influenced by the literacy skills of the adults around them. When parents have lower confidence with reading and writing, children are statistically more likely to start school with weaker language skills and fall behind over time.
Large-scale studies, including findings highlighted through initiatives like Australia Reads, show that:
At the same time, research also shows a challenge: in households where adults have low literacy confidence, reading activities happen less often — not due to lack of care, but due to low confidence, time pressures, or past negative school experiences.
Read Write Now works with parents and caregivers to build practical literacy skills so they can support learning at home with confidence. This includes understanding school communication, helping with reading and homework, and building simple everyday literacy routines.
When adult confidence improves, children benefit immediately — not only in school results, but in motivation, language development, and long-term learning habits.
Family literacy is one of the most effective ways to interrupt intergenerational literacy disadvantage and create stronger learning outcomes across families.
