Trusted messengers in everyday spaces: leveraging community expertise to support early language and literacy

Abstract

Introduction Informal community spaces may offer an underused opportunity to support early language and literacy, particularly when families encounter trusted individuals who understand their communities. This study examined how trusted messengers foster early language and literacy in everyday community settings and considered the relevance of this approach for public health efforts to reduce disparities in early childhood opportunity. Methods We drew on three design studies conducted in laundromats across New York, Chicago, and Philadelphia. Environmental redesigns created opportunities for literacy-related play, while public librarians and Reading Captains—community volunteers with cultural and linguistic ties to families—served as trusted messengers. Qualitative observations, field notes, and caregiver reports were used to examine how these messengers engaged children and caregivers within the redesigned spaces. Results Environmental redesigns increased children’s literacy-related play, but the presence of trusted messengers generated more sustained engagement. Librarians provided structured, professionally guided activities resembling story hours, extending children’s exposure to literacy-rich routines. Reading Captains built relational trust through everyday conversation, bilingual exchanges, and culturally familiar practices, fostering caregiver participation and affirming families’ existing practices. Both approaches deepened engagement, though in distinct ways. Discussion The findings suggest that physical environments alone may not be sufficient to sustain engagement. Trusted messengers can help transform everyday community spaces into settings that support children’s early language and literacy while strengthening connections with caregivers. Because this approach builds on existing community spaces, relationships, and expertise, trusted messengers may represent a scalable component of place-based public health strategies designed to expand early developmental opportunity, community engagement, and equity.

The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Frontiers in Public Health, 2026 · DOI ↗