Early Words for healthcare professionals - Canadian Children's Literacy Foundation

Learn about our program to improve literacy across Canada through healthcare.

About the program

The Early Words program empowers children to become confident readers.

Through our Early Words program, we deliver evidence-based early literacy training, practical resources, and books to healthcare professionals, giving them the confidence and strategies to effectively support children’s language and literacy development in their clinic.

By reaching families early and often, Early Words encourages caregivers to engage in literacy development right from the very start, setting up more children for lifelong success.

In clinics across Canada

Our program is currently delivered through 121 clinics in 12 provinces and territories across Canada and growing every year!

Early Words in Nunavut

In Nunavut, Early Words takes a community-driven, collaborative approach, featuring co-created, culturally reflective resources and books.

Learn more about our program’s unique approach in Nunavut.

Read the full story

Explore Nunavut resources

Program initiatives

Delivering literacy through healthcare

Medical education

Early literacy and early relational health are key to healthy child development. Healthcare providers can help families build these habits from the start.

Through Academic Half-Days for residents, Hospital Grand Rounds, and in-service training, we work to embed early literacy into clinical care at all stages — from medical learner to practicing provider.

If you’re interested in integrating early literacy into your school’s medical education program, reach out to us.

Get in touch

Public Health Partnerships

To drive long-term community well-being, we’re partnering with Public Health departments and regional health authorities to embed early literacy into regional child health and development systems across Canada.

Together, we’re co-creating approaches that are locally relevant and align with community and government priorities.

Read about Early Words Nunavut

EMR System Integration

By working with Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system providers like TELUS Health to integrate early literacy prompts into clinical workflows, we’re helping make early literacy a routine part of patient care.

Embedding these early literacy conversations into healthcare workflows ensures more families can support their child’s early learning and well-being from the very start.

Reach out to us to explore integrating early literacy into EMRs in your clinical setting.

Partner with us

Evidence-based training

The science behind Early Words

The opportunity in healthcare

“Talking to families 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

Enhancing your care

What providers are saying

Meet our Health Leaders Council

The Health Leaders Council is a group of esteemed physicians who provide guidance and feedback on our programs and resources. As early literacy champions in their respective fields, they provide valuable insights into leading research and practical applications to shape our Early Words program.

Dr. Robin Williams

Chair

MD, FRCPC, FAAP, CM
Dr. William Ehman

MD, MCFP
Dr. Isaac Elias

MD, FRCPC
Dr. Sarah Gander

MD, FRCPC
Dr. Leslie Rourke

MD, CCFP, MClinSc (FM), FCFP, FRRMS
Dr. Alyson Shaw

MD, FRCPC, FAAP
Dr. Holden Sheffield

MD, FRCPC
Dr. Alika Lafontaine

MD, FRCPC; Past President, Canadian Medical Association

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Applications are closed for our current program year. Consider subscribing to our newsletter to be notified when applications open for our next program year!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Still have a question?

Get in touch

Do you ever partner with community organizations outside of health clinics, such as family resource/support centres that would regularly work with families between the ages of 0-5?

Early Words is currently delivered exclusively through healthcare settings (such as clinics and hospitals) and increasingly in early childhood education settings. While the program is not formally implemented in family resource centres or other community-based organizations this time, we do have resources that may be helpful for professionals working with families in these settings. We encourage you to explore the free tips and resources available on our website to support early literacy in your work.

If you have questions or would like to explore other ways to collaborate, please feel free to contact us!
How can we join Early Words as a participating clinic?

Our Expression of Interest is typically open around the end of summer each year. We encourage you to visit our website or join our e-bulletin mailing list to stay updated on when our next program year begins.
Would you be interested in purchasing my children’s book for your program?

While we generally do not purchase books for our programs directly from authors, you are welcome to send us a digital copy of the book along with its cost, and our programming team will assess if it is appropriate for our program delivery.

Looking for resources?

Even if you’re not part of Early Words, you are welcome to access our extensive library of resources or take advantage of discounts for books with our literacy partners.

Go to resource library

Get books for my clinic

Thank you to our supporters!

Our programming is enabled by financial, in-kind and volunteer support. We sincerely thank all those who make it possible for us to help families bring early literacy activities to life.