Over 74% fathers in Poland read to their children regularly – daily or several times a week. They most often see it as an expression of closeness, pleasure, and fun, and a way to spend quality time. Only 12% fathers see reading as a duty.* These are the main findings from a study conducted by SW Research on behalf of the Lajkonik brand for the Universal Reading Foundation as part of the #TataTeżCzyta campaign. The results show that while many fathers already recognize the power of reading together, they still need concrete support and inspiration to make this daily practice even more common.
- 74% fathers of children under 13 years of age declare that they regularly read to their children. 31,5% of them reads every day, and 42,8% several times a week.
- 16,5% respondents read books less often than once a week, and 9,2% fathers do not engage in this activity at all.
- Fathers aged 31–35 and 36–40 are most likely to declare that they read daily – respectively 37,1% and 39,9%.
- For 55% respondents, reading together with a child is an expression of closeness, 48% perceives them as a source of pleasure and fun, and 47% – as a valuable way of spending time together.
- 12% fathers considered this activity to be a duty.
- To read more often, 44% fathers indicate the need to spend more time alone with their child – without screens and other distractions, and 37% needs to feel that reading together is important for the child.
Close contact with a child—built through, among other things, asking questions, listening, and sharing content—supports emotional and social development and builds self-confidence. Such experiences are worth creating during daily rituals, such as reading together. Books then become not a goal, but a pretext for closeness and conversation. Research from the National Library shows that 41% respondents read at least one book in 2024. According to the data, women read more often (47%) than men (35%).**
A study by SW Research, commissioned by the Lajkonik brand for the Universal Reading Foundation as part of the nationwide #TataTeżCzyta campaign, offers promising data on this matter. It shows that many fathers recognize the value of reading together. Over 74% respondents report reading to their children regularly – daily (31.5%) or several times a week (42.8%). This is a clear sign of a visible awareness of the role of fathers in building bonds through books. At the same time, nearly one in ten respondents admits they don't read with their children at all – indicating a real need for further educational and promotional activities that will help make reading time together a daily, natural ritual.
– Small moments matter – this is what guides the Lajkonik brand, both in our activities and the initiatives we want to support. That's why we engage in projects like #TataTeżCzyta – because every moment spent reading with a child strengthens relationships, develops and stimulates thinking, and teaches mindfulness. Here, books become not only a tool but also a pretext for conversation, closeness, and true togetherness. We want to accompany families not only at the table, but also in those precious moments that last a lifetime. All this is in line with our strategy of combining joy in life with responsibility. - says Monika Pawłowska from Lajkonik.
Fathers aged 31–35 and 36–40 report reading daily – 37.11 TP3T and 39.91 TP3T, respectively. It is the younger age groups that most often find time to read with their children, which may indicate a growing awareness of the role of fatherhood and building relationships through rituals.
Closeness, ritual, pleasure – what do fathers associate reading together with?
For the fathers participating in the study, reading with their child is primarily an expression of closeness (55%), pleasure and fun (48%), and valuable time spent together (47%). It is also often associated with a bedtime ritual (41%) and a moment of rest (36%).
– These results show how effectively the book creates space for building a daily bond between father and child – which perfectly fits the message of the #TataTeżCzyta campaign. - says Maria Deskur, president of the Universal Reading Foundation. – Reading together is more than just sharing content – it's a time when the father is fully present, attentive, and accessible. It's a moment when the child feels important, and their emotions and questions are heard. The #TataTeżCzyta campaign reminds us that it's not grand words or perfect diction that matter most, but presence, warmth, and time. Even a few minutes a day is enough to build a bond and stimulate development. Reading and talking together are the most enjoyable and, according to numerous studies, the most effective tools for supporting a child's stable and balanced development.
This experience of closeness, however, may require support – that is why the Universal Reading Foundation and the Lajkonik brand asked fathers what could encourage them to read more often with their children.
What do fathers need to read more often?
The most frequently mentioned response was the need to spend more time alone with the child—without screens and other distractions (44%). Also important was the feeling that reading together is truly important for the child and can contribute to their development (37%). Building a regular ritual of reading together, for example, before bedtime (33%). Further along were the need for a better understanding of age-appropriate books for the child (27%), inspiration from other fathers' experiences (20%), and support from a partner (19%).
The need for inspiration to read from other fathers was most frequently reported in medium-sized and large cities (over 200,000 inhabitants) and in smaller towns of up to 100,000. This shows that regardless of where they live, many fathers are looking for simple, authentic examples of how to incorporate reading into their daily lives.
"For fathers looking for simple and reliable ways to introduce shared reading into their daily lives, we've prepared an e-book full of practical tips and age-appropriate book recommendations. This publication shows how exposure to books – from the first few months of life – positively impacts emotional, linguistic, and social development. Babies, toddlers, and older children all have different needs, but in each case, reading together becomes a space for closeness, conversation, and bonding." – he emphasizes Agnieszka Nyc, campaign coordinator at the Universal Reading Foundation.
How to Read with Your Child: Practical Tips for Parents
Reading with a child doesn't require much – just start early, even in the first few months of life, and dedicate a few minutes a day to it. What matters is consistency and the shared joy we derive from this experience. Toddlers need closeness, listening to a parent's voice, and contact with a book – even if at first they just look at the illustrations or try to turn the pages – such interaction is excellent for stimulating their brain development. It's worth reading aloud daily, choosing books with clear pictures, using a variety of intonations, and – as the child grows – asking increasingly complex questions about the stories.
Children enjoy returning to the same stories – repetition helps them learn. Books can be read anywhere – at home, on the bus, in the waiting room – and incorporated into daily rituals. It's also a good idea to consider books as a gift idea and visit the library together, where your child can choose something for themselves. This is a simple way to build their interest in learning, which will prove incredibly important and helpful at school age.
More about the campaign: https://www.tatatezczyta.pl
Guide: The Superpower of Books #TataAlsoReads
List of recommended books: Recommended books – tatateżczyta
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*Source: The study was conducted by SW Research using CAWI (Computer-Aided Online Interviewing) on the SW Panel website, commissioned by Lajkonik, for the Powszechnego Czytania Foundation, as part of the #TataTeżCzyta initiative. The study was conducted from May 7–14, 2025, among 600 fathers of children aged 0–13.
**The state of book reading in Poland in 2024 – News – National Library
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Lajkonik Lajkonik – Lajkonik products baked in Skawina near Krakow are snacks that have been accompanying families for generations. The perfect crunchiness and simple composition make the taste of Lajkonik legendary and unique – it is loved by consumers all over Poland. The brand's offer includes sticks, crackers, slices, pretzels, Mini Crackers, Junior products and products from the Dobry Chrup line. The company's goal is to provide snacks that combine Joy of Life and Responsibility.
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The Universal Reading Foundation For six years, it has been working to improve Polish reading and combat social exclusion. It views non-reading as a contemporary social problem. It aims to reach families and communities of people who don't read at all. The Foundation's goal is to ensure that every Polish child has equal educational opportunities, which is greatly enhanced by regular contact with books. The Foundation's activities focus on helping excluded children, educating leaders, and supporting parents. FPC's most important campaigns include "Reapers of Reading," "Book on Prescription. Recipe for Success," "Book Protects," and the nationwide social campaign "#TataTeżCzyta." FPC initiated the informal coalition "Czytająca Polska," which produced the publication "Czytąca Szkoła – Reflections on the Functioning of Books in School." The Foundation is the only Polish organization to receive the Library of Congress Literacy Award, awarded by the United States Library of Congress for outstanding achievements in promoting reading.
