Today, September 8, is International Literacy Day. It was created by UNESCO to “remind the international community of the importance of literacy for individuals, communities and societies, and the need for intensified efforts towards more literate societies.”
Literacy is the foundation for lifelong learning. It generates possibilities and opportunities. It allows individuals access to information and participation in society. It empowers individuals, families and communities.
I believe a more literate world is a better world.
However, millions of people around the globe still don’t have access to schools, books or technology, which perpetuates the cycle of illiteracy, poverty and inequality.
I've been thinking about how lucky we are and how we can contribute in small or big ways. So here are some ideas:
Supporting Literacy at Home
Supporting Literacy in your Community
Supporting Literacy Globally
Book Aid International
World Literacy Foundation
LitWorld
Pencils of Promise
We can all play a part in creating a more literate and fair world.
What do you think?
Literacy is the foundation for lifelong learning. It generates possibilities and opportunities. It allows individuals access to information and participation in society. It empowers individuals, families and communities.
I believe a more literate world is a better world.
However, millions of people around the globe still don’t have access to schools, books or technology, which perpetuates the cycle of illiteracy, poverty and inequality.
I've been thinking about how lucky we are and how we can contribute in small or big ways. So here are some ideas:
Supporting Literacy at Home
- Read together regularly, in all your languages
- Give books as gifts
- Ask for books as gifts
- Organize a book swap party with friends
- Visit the library regularly
- Use your child’s interests to engage in reading and writing. Dinosaurs? Lego? Football? Tik Tok?
- Play games that involve reading and writing
- Have reading and writing materials easily available
- Find purposeful ways to engage your children in writing (messages to friends and family, lists, journals, birthday cards, etc)
- Talk about the importance of learning to read and write in your languages
Supporting Literacy in your Community
- Volunteer as a tutor in low-income schools, refugee centers, prisons, shelters, etc
- Volunteer to read aloud at your local library, school or daycare center
- Organize a book donation for low-income schools, daycare centers, etc
- Organize a contest (short story, poetry, essay, etc)
- Organize a book club
- Organize an information session for parents on the importance of reading with their children
Supporting Literacy Globally
- Donate time, expertise or money to organizations, such as:
Book Aid International
World Literacy Foundation
LitWorld
Pencils of Promise
We can all play a part in creating a more literate and fair world.
What do you think?
