Why early childhood literacy matters

• The brain’s fastest growth happens before school; rich language and shared reading in these years build vocabulary, attention, and the pre-skills that make decoding and comprehension in Grade 1–3 far easier. Canada’s paediatricians explicitly urge daily “read, speak, sing” routines from infancy because they support language, social-emotional health, and family bonds. (PMC, Canadian Paediatric Society)
• Canada’s education system is feeling the strain: by international assessment (PISA), Canadian reading performance has declined since 2000, and about 1 in 7 fifteen-year-olds perform at the lowest reading level—students who face steep challenges in later learning and life. Investing early is the most cost-effective way to bend that curve. (Canadian Paediatric Society, CMEC)
• Ontario’s own Early Years research (McCain–Mustard–Shanker) emphasized that high-quality early childhood supports produce larger, more equitable literacy gains than later remediation. (Early Years Study)

Why book gifting (like DPIL) is a high-leverage strategy

• “Books at home” is a powerful, independent predictor of school achievement and years of schooling— even after accounting for family SES. Physical books still matter. (OECD, PMC)
• Evaluations of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (DPIL) show improvements to the home literacy environment, children’s attitudes toward reading, and early literacy skills—exactly what we want before Kindergarten. (imaginationlibrary.com, Taylor & Francis Online)
• Ontario policy has moved upstream: early identification and support for foundational reading skills and a research-backed full-day Kindergarten model reinforce the importance of strong pre-reading foundations when children arrive at school. (Ontario, etfo.ca)

How this translates into later school success

• Children who arrive at school “ready to learn” (measured with the Canadian Early Development Instrument—EDI) are more likely to succeed on later provincial assessments (Grades 3, 6) and beyond; EDI vulnerability flags elevated risk of later academic difficulties. (Offord Centre, Human Early Learning Partnership)
• Ontario’s full-day Kindergarten research further links early literacy/self-regulation gains with better primary-grade outcomes—bolstering the case for investments before Grade 1. (etfo.ca, ResearchGate)
• At the macro level, improving literacy yields major economic benefits for Canada (higher productivity and GDP, lower social costs)—a point sophisticated donors appreciate. (Strong Start)

Want to help us promote early childhood literacy?

Two for TEN

“Two for Ten” – Give the Gift of Reading For just $10 you’ll support TWO children in Chatham-Kent to receive a brand-new, age appropriate and high quality book, mailed to their home. You’ll make a difference in the lives of two children to: Visit Canada Helps or use the form below:

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