Canadian Children's Literacy Foundation

THE CANADIAN CHILDREN'S LITERACY FOUNDATION'S EARLY WORDS/PREMIER MOTS PROGRAM CONNECTS KEY PROFESSIONALS WITH RESOURCES AND TRAINING TO HELP FAMILIES GET THEIR LITTLE ONES OFF TO A GOOD START ON THEIR READING JOURNEY. THE PROGRAM COLLABORATES WITH CLINICS HOSPITALS AND COMMUNITIES TO HELP FAMILIES BUILD STRONG EARLY LITERACY SKILLS AND LAY A FOUNDATION FOR CHILDREN TO BECOME READERS. EARLY WORDS LAUNCHED IN NUNAVUT IN EARLY 2020 AND AS OF JUNE 2024 IS OPERATING IN 98 HEALTHCARE SETTINGS IN 12 PROVINCES AND ALL 3 TERRITORIES WITH PLANS TO FURTHER EXPAND NATIONALLY. IN ADDITION THE CANADIAN CHILDREN'S LITERACY FOUNDATION HAS CONTINUED TO DEVELOP INNOVATIVE WAYS TO BRING TOGETHER PEOPLE AND ORGANIZATIONS TO CO-CREATE STRATEGIES THAT ENABLE EDUCATORS AND FAMILIES TO NURTURE THEIR CHILDREN'S LITERACY DEVELOPMENT. THIS WORK ENABLES US TO IDENTIFY GAPS IN CANADA'S CURRENT SUPPORT FOR EARLY LITERACY AND TO ADVANCE EVIDENCE-BASED APPROACHES TO ADDRESSING THOSE GAPS. WORKING TOGETHER WE ARE MOVING TOWARDS A CANADA IN WHICH ALL CHILDREN HAVE THE LITERACY SKILLS THEY NEED TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE BLACK HEALTH ALLIANCE (BHA) AND THE READING PARTNERSHIP (TRP) WE CONDUCTED A RESEARCH PROJECT TITLED 'TEACHING OUR KIDS TO READ: EXPLORING THE READING JOURNEY OF BLACK CHILDREN IN CANADA.' THIS INITIATIVE ENGAGED BLACK PARENTS CAREGIVERS SERVICE PROVIDERS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS ACROSS VARIOUS CANADIAN CITIES TO ADDRESS LITERACY DISPARITIES AND PROMOTE CULTURALLY INCLUSIVE PRACTICES IN HEALTHCARE AND EDUCATION. WE LOOK FORWARD TO SHARING THOSE FINDINGS IN THE COMING YEAR. WE ARE COLLABORATING ON RESEARCH TO INFORM EARLY LITERACY POLICY. THIS INITIATIVE AIMS TO INTEGRATE EVIDENCE-BASED STRATEGIES INTO PROVINCIAL AND TERRITORIAL FRAMEWORKS UNDER THE NEW EARLY LEARNING AND CHILD CARE (ELCC) POLICY WHICH IS A CORNERSTONE OF THE CURRENT GOVERNMENT'S PLATFORM FOR A NATIONAL HIGH-QUALITY AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE ELCC SYSTEM. WE ARE COMMITTED TO CREATING A LASTING IMPACT ON EARLY CHILDHOOD LITERACY ACROSS CANADA. TOGETHER WE CAN ENSURE THAT LITERACY BECOMES A REALITY FOR EVERY CHILD PAVING THE WAY FOR A BRIGHTER MORE EQUITABLE FUTURE.