ZAGREB, 5 Jan (Hina) - The Ministry of Culture and Media will launch the national reading challenge "15 by 15: All of Croatia reads to children" on 15 January, aiming to encourage a lasting habit of shared reading in families across the country.
The campaign calls on parents, carers, nurseries, libraries and all adults caring for children to read to them for 15 minutes a day over 15 consecutive days, from 15 to 29 January. The message behind the challenge is that regular, continuous reading is crucial for a child's development and that even 15 days can bring noticeable positive changes.
Parents, carers, grandparents and others who wish to read to children can take part, with registration open via the "Rođeni za čitanje" (Born to Read) programme website. Participants will receive daily tips, recommendations and materials during the challenge and will be able to share their experiences afterwards.
Paediatrician Marija Radonić, founder of the national programme Born to Read, said reading from an early age supports children's emotional, social and cognitive development and is a strong predictor of later academic success. She noted that about 10% of children, or around 4,000 nationwide, are granted a delayed start to primary school each year, mainly due to speech, language and fine motor difficulties.
She warned that excessive screen time contributes to these problems and urged families to replace apps with picture books, stressing that 15 minutes of daily shared reading can be among the most meaningful moments of the day.
A 2025 survey showed that 43% of parents read to their children every day, while 27% do so occasionally. The challenge aims to further strengthen this practice and encourage families who are just starting.
Culture and Media Minister Nina Obuljen-Koržinek said she hoped the campaign would result in a lasting habit of reading for around 15 minutes a day, contributing to every child's overall development.
The challenge is part of the national Born to Read programme, run by the Ministry of Culture and Media in cooperation with the Ministry of Health and professional bodies. About 33,000 children are born in Croatia each year, and the programme ensures that every child receives four picture books before starting school.
