The National Institute for Literacy, an agency in the Federal government, is authorized to help strengthen literacy across the lifespan. The Institute provides national leadership on literacy issues, including the improvement of reading instruction for children, youth, and adults.  It develops publications for families and educators of learners across the lifespan.

This publication found that parents can help their children learn to read. The effectiveness of parents’ help, however, varies according to the type of parent-child activities. Educators, when deciding which type of intervention to implement, will have to weigh the differences in effectiveness across the different types of intervention against the amount of resources needed to implement the interventions.  This report summarizes the types of parent involvement that are most efficient.