Early Words is a Canadian Children's Literacy Foundation program that connects key professionals with resources to help families get their little ones off to a good start. The program collaborates with clinics, hospitals and communities to help families build strong baby brains and lay a foundation for literacy. We want to inspire families to start young children on a joyful reading journey by surrounding them with words right from birth. We’ve started with healthcare professionals as nearly all families with young children are in contact with healthcare providers. Early Words provides: early literacy support to help providers start conversations with families practical resources to keep things going at home help getting high-quality children’s books into little hands. Read More
News Early Words/Premiers mots is growing! If your clinic or hospital would like to be part of the program, which includes resources and training to bring early literacy into your practice, find out more. Read more
"Talking to parents about the benefits of reading, speaking, and singing with their children from birth is something health care providers can do in virtually any context…" - Canadian Paediatric Society Read More
"Infants and young children are in contact with the health care system from the beginning. It is natural to use this system to provide early guidance and support." Nat. Strategy for Early Literacy Read More
"Evidence suggests that when physicians give a 'prescription' for reading, families heed this advice." - Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, Position Statement, Early Childhood Development Read More
The Canadian Medical Association recommends physicians “include literacy promotion in routine clinical encounters with children of all ages.” Read More