REadCONNECT: Your Guide To Hong Kong’s City-Wide Initiative Boosting Children’s Literacy

You may have read that Hong Kong ranks among the lowest globally in parental engagement in reading, with recent studies showing a concerning decline in literacy rankings. In response to this challenge, Bring Me A Book Hong Kong is launching REadCONNECT, a city-wide initiative to promote family bonding through daily read-aloud sessions.

This spring movement aims to address the urgent need for more family reading time, as Hong Kong ranks 49th out of 57 countries in reading confidence among Primary 4 students and 56th in parental engagement in reading.

Research underscores the power of shared reading, showing that just 10 minutes daily can significantly impact a child’s development. It activates up to 20% more of a child’s brain than independent reading, releases bonding hormones like oxytocin and dopamine, and can give children a 1.4 million-word vocabulary advantage by age five. Moreover, this practice builds resilience, empathy, and strong communication skills, setting a foundation for lifelong learning and emotional intelligence. Read on for how you can learn more about this important initiative and support your child’s literacy and reading confidence.