AimUnderstanding the nature of parent–child shared reading (SR) practices is important to reach children's developmental potential and subsequent achievement. We evaluated the parental attitudes and practices, associated variables and barriers related to SR.MethodsThis prospective study enrolled 624 parents of children aged 1–72 months who presented to a tertiary hospital for well‐child care or acute minor illness. Face‐to‐face interviews were conducted using a questionnaire.ResultsThe median age for starting SR was 12 (0–72) months. Daily SR activities were provided by 29.5% of the parents. Owning >10 children's books, higher socioeconomic status, attending pre‐school/kindergarten and being a single child were associated with daily reading (P < 0.001). In total, 36.5% of the parents reported that they had not yet started SR and planned to start SR when their children reached a median age of 20.5 (2–72) months. The most commonly reported barriers were time constraints and the perception that their child was too young. Almost 10% of the parents had received an SR recommendation. Parents who had received a recommendation and those who had a habit of self‐reading multiple times a week were more likely to begin SR at younger child age and to read daily (P < 0.001).ConclusionsThis study demonstrated low rates of parent–child SR activities in early childhood, particularly in the first years of life, in Turkey. Our findings emphasise the need for a national strategy integrated into the healthcare system to promote SR.