Children who are read to at least once a day will hear 290,000 more words by age 5 than those who aren’t read to by a parent or caregiver. A rich verbal vocabulary acquired in the first three years sets the foundation for literacy.
Source:
Literacy resources for
Early Years Educators
Explore our library of literacy resources curated for early years educators, including downloadable tip sheets, activity ideas, videos, and more.
Latest resources
Browse practical, research-informed resources designed to help early years educators support early literacy in diverse learning environments.
-
Activity, Webpage
Toronto Public Library: Ready for Reading, Birth to 5
-
Article
The Conversation: Coronavirus: 5 Tips for Navigating Children’s Screen Time During Social Distancing
-
Downloadable Resource
The Canadian Children’s Literacy Foundation: The Reading Journey Diagram
-
Activity, Downloadable Resource
Read On Canada! Activity Booklets
-
Article
Institute of Digital Media and Child Development, Children and Screens Article: 12 Tips From the Experts for Managing Screen Time for Kids K-8 During the Pandemic
Did you know?
Events and training
Browse our upcoming events and training sessions for early years educators.
-
Feb
11
Play with Purpose: Nurturing Oral Language and Literacy in Children from Birth to Age 5
Get practical tips for supporting early literacy
Our e-newsletter for early years educators shares practical tips and resources you can use with children and families, new research highlights, and inspiring stories from educators across Canada.
The research behind early literacy
Discover the importance of early literacy in the early years, and how strong foundations in language and literacy support lifelong learning and development.
-
Policy ReportWhat would it take… for every child in Canada to be learning foundational literacy skills by the age of five?
This landmark report explores what children need to begin developing foundational literacy skills by the time they enter kindergarten — and how Canada can build a system that ensures all children are on this path. Created in collaboration with the Social Research and Demonstration Corporation (SRDC), What Would It Take… provides leaders across sectors with evidence-based insights and actionable recommendations to prioritize early literacy.
-
SurveyThe Role of Early Literacy in Early Learning and Child Care: A Survey of Early Childhood Educators
In September 2021, the Canadian Children’s Literacy Foundation (CCLF) and the Canadian Child Care Federation (CCCF) partnered on a national survey of early childhood educators (ECEs) to better understand the current role of early literacy and learning in child care settings in Canada, and to identify gaps and opportunities that may exist.
-
Policy ReportAn Economic Overview of Children’s Literacy in Canada
Prepared by Deloitte Canada for the Canadian Children’s Literacy Foundation, An Economic Overview of Children’s Literacy in Canada paints a compelling picture of why investing in early literacy is the cornerstone of children’s health, education, future employment and income, and why it is critical for the future of Canada.
-
Research and PolicyEarly Literacy Matters Roundtables 2020
To help address obstacles and strengthen our collective impact on early literacy, we hosted a roundtable series in early 2020 that attracted 100 attendees from 59 different organizations. In this report, you will read about what we heard from them: potential pathways to success, common challenges and how national, coordinated efforts can help advance early literacy efforts.