How can different parenting styles influence language skills and reading comprehension in children?
Jodie Jasmin
Parents and caregivers may have specific parenting strategies that are proving to be successful with their children; other parents may be unaware of their adopted parenting style and the way in which it could be influencing their child’s development.
A recent campaign in the UK (Words Matter, 2025) pushed to have verbal abuse recognised as being equal to physical abuse in terms of harm to children. One argument which stemmed from this topic is, where did the phenomenon of gentle parenting come from?
Gentle parenting emerged from a shift away from authoritarian discipline and toward a more emotionally responsive, respectful, and empathetic approach, rooted in evidence-based psychology and attachment research. For example, the “Anti-Spanking and Respectful Parenting Movements” in the late 20th century. Activists and parenting experts like Dr. William Sears (who coined “attachment parenting”) and Alfie Kohn (who advocated for unconditional parenting) criticised traditional authoritarian models and championed non-punitive, emotionally attuned parenting approach.
Additionally, key figures such as Bowlby’s theory of attachment and elements of humanistic psychology.
Critics of gentle parenting argue it can lead to permissiveness or unclear expectations if parents avoid setting firm limits or consequences. With parenting styles in mind, what exactly are the types and how might they have an influence specifically with language skills and reading comprehension?
Psychologists typically categorise parenting into four main styles, each influencing child development in different ways:
Authoritative Parenting – Often seen as the most effective style, authoritative parents are warm, responsive, and set clear expectations. They balance discipline with support, encouraging independence while providing guidance. Children raised in this environment tend to develop strong emotional regulation, social skills, and academic success.
Authoritarian Parenting – This style is high in control but low in warmth. Parents enforce strict rules and expect obedience without much room for discussion. While children may develop discipline, they often struggle with self-esteem and social adaptability due to limited autonomy and emotional support.
Permissive Parenting – Permissive parents are highly nurturing but set few boundaries. They prioritise their child’s happiness and rarely enforce rules, leading to a lack of structure. Children raised in this environment may develop strong self-expression but struggle with self-discipline and impulse control.
Neglectful (or Uninvolved) Parenting – Parents in this category provide minimal attention and guidance. They may be emotionally distant or overwhelmed with their own responsibilities, leading to children feeling unsupported. This lack of involvement can negatively affect a child’s emotional security, academic motivation, and interpersonal relationships.
Each style can shape a child’s development in distinct ways, influencing their self-esteem, emotional resilience, and learning outcomes.
But, is one style better than the other when looking at academic skills? And how do we know what style we are using? More importantly, are we at risk of overthinking our parenting techniques in support of academic achievement?
Undoubtedly, as an early career applied psychologist and former teacher, it is in my nature to consider the psychology behind most behaviour. However, with that aside what does the research show about the most effective parenting styles and the enhancement of language skills and reading comprehension?
A 2024 longitudinal study published in the British Journal of Educational Psychology examined how parenting styles influence language skills and reading comprehension among Chinese primary school students .
685 Chinese-speaking third graders (average age 9.23 years) from eight primary schools took part in the study. The study evaluated the following areas: parenting styles, parental education, family income, migration status, number of children’s books at home, and family cohesion. In addition to this, the study assessed students’ reading motivation, vocabulary knowledge, syntactic awareness, and reading comprehension.
The researchers key findings found that authoritative parenting was positively associated with a greater number of children’s books at home. This abundance of books directly, or indirectly through enhanced reading motivation, contributed to improved language skills and reading comprehension.
On the other hand, authoritarian parenting was negatively associated with family cohesion. Reduced family cohesion correlated with lower reading motivation, subsequently leading to diminished language skills and reading comprehension.
What does this mean in real terms?
The study suggests that parenting styles can impact children’s language and reading development indirectly by influencing environmental factors like the availability of reading materials and the quality of family relationships. Whilst attention is paid to the style of parenting, external factors such as the wider environment and availability of resources has an influence on the language ability of the child. I wonder if a parent with a more authoritarian tone could still achieve sufficient language and reading development for their child so long as the environment is conducive to their intellectual needs?
Nevertheless, these findings highlight the importance of fostering supportive home environments and encouraging reading habits to enhance children’s academic outcomes.
Comment your thoughts.
Link to full research article