Lestori’s approach is grounded in a consistent body of research showing that early, high-quality reading experiences shape language, cognition, and emotional development. First, daily shared reading is associated with a major early vocabulary exposure advantage (often cited as a ~1.4 million word gap by age five), supporting Lestori’s emphasis on frequent early reading: Logan et al. (2019), Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics.
Second, Lestori’s format choices (audio with static illustrations, child-led pacing, guided reflection) align with MRI-based findings that passive screen-heavy formats are less supportive of integrated comprehension networks, while reduced early screen burden is also linked to developmental risk considerations: Upstate KIDS Study, JAMA Pediatrics (2019) and related pediatric neuroimaging context such as Hutton et al., JAMA Pediatrics.
Third, Lestori’s “beyond literacy” claims (empathy, regulation, behavior, resilience) are supported by large-scale evidence that early reading for pleasure correlates with better cognitive performance, mental wellbeing, and favorable brain structure markers in adolescence: Cambridge University / NIH ABCD Study (2023).