Early literacy initiatives drive childhood development and community support

Research indicates that early exposure to reading provides significant cognitive and long-term socioeconomic benefits. Studies suggest that children who read for pleasure early in life demonstrate stronger cognitive performance, better mental well-being, and fewer behavioral issues during adolescence. Frequent reading—approximately 12 hours per week—is associated with the strongest benefits, while being read to regularly at ages four and five can impact early literacy skills similarly to being a year older.

In North Carolina, literacy initiatives are being implemented through the Smart Start network, which operates across all 100 counties via 75 local partnerships. These efforts include book drives and programs like Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Following funding from the North Carolina General Assembly in 2017, the expansion of these programs has resulted in nearly 28 million books being delivered to children and families throughout the state.