A Meta-analysis of the Educational Effects of Picture Books for Infants

This study conducted a meta-analysis to examine the educational effects of using picture books for infants. A total of 88 effect sizes were calculated for 53 articles published from 2006 to the first half of 2024. The results showed that the overall effect size was 1.34, indicating a significant effect. The dependent variables were social, emotional, cognitive, physical, and language development, in that order. As for the moderating variables, picture books with text, thesis, integrated approach, number of picture books (6 to 10 or fewer), year of publication (2021 to 2024), number of experimental treatments (11 to 20 or fewer), duration of experimental treatment (8 to 14 weeks or fewer), and number of participants (21 or more) showed significant effect sizes. These results suggest that education using infant picture books positively affects holistic development. Therefore, it is necessary to develop integrated picture book activity programs that take into account the characteristics of infant development and support teachers so that they can recognize and practice the importance and value of infant picture books in daycare centers.