Teaching Our Children to Read dives into the systemic, institutional, and sociocultural barriers experienced by Black children in Canada, and how these challenges limit their future education and employment opportunities. It aims to shed light on the issues that Black families and service providers face when teaching Black children to read, and to identify opportunities for government, educators, local agencies, and community members to get involved and ensure that the right to read is realized for all Black children in Canada.
Literacy resources for
Early Years Educators
Explore our library of literacy resources curated for early years educators, including downloadable tip sheets, activity ideas, videos, and more.
Latest resources
Browse practical, research-informed resources designed to help early years educators support early literacy in diverse learning environments.
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Downloadable Resource
First Book Canada Information Sheet
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Activity, Webpage
Toronto Public Library: Ready for Reading, Birth to 5
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Article
The Conversation: Coronavirus: 5 Tips for Navigating Children’s Screen Time During Social Distancing
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Downloadable Resource
The Canadian Children’s Literacy Foundation: The Reading Journey Diagram
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Activity, Downloadable Resource
Read On Canada! Activity Booklets
The research behind early literacy
Discover the importance of early literacy in the early years, and how strong foundations in language and literacy support lifelong learning and development.
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Research and PolicyTeaching Our Children to Read: Understanding the Reading Journey of Black Children in Canada
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Policy ReportWhat would it take… for every child in Canada to be learning foundational literacy skills by the age of five?
This landmark report explores what children need to begin developing foundational literacy skills by the time they enter kindergarten — and how Canada can build a system that ensures all children are on this path. Created in collaboration with the Social Research and Demonstration Corporation (SRDC), What Would It Take… provides leaders across sectors with evidence-based insights and actionable recommendations to prioritize early literacy.
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SurveyThe Role of Early Literacy in Early Learning and Child Care: A Survey of Early Childhood Educators
In September 2021, the Canadian Children’s Literacy Foundation (CCLF) and the Canadian Child Care Federation (CCCF) partnered on a national survey of early childhood educators (ECEs) to better understand the current role of early literacy and learning in child care settings in Canada, and to identify gaps and opportunities that may exist.
Thank you to our partners!
We’re grateful for our partnerships with key child-serving organizations that helped us create programming, resources and training.
Informed by experts
To ensure this program is evidence-based, we’ve collaborated with a range of experts in the field, including pedagogical mentors, early years educators, adult learning specialists, child development experts, and Indigenous leaders. Together, this advisory committee has guided us in the creation of a meaningful, science-backed program. We’re grateful to them for their support.
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Amanda Hachey
Systems Convener
NouLab and Future Skills Centre
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Amy Rzezniczek
PhD Candidate, School and Applied Child Psychology
Western University
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Colin King
Director, Mary J. Wright Child and Youth Development Clinic & Associate Professor
Western University
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Diane Pesco
Associate Professor (retired)
Concordia University
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Dina Mohamed
Program Director; ECE, MAED in curriculum studies
Centre of Dreams and Hopes
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Dr. Megan Gath
PhD
University of Cantebury
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Kim Kreuger
MEd, Literacy Specialist, Professor in Adult Learning
Conestoga College
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Kim Lem
RECE, Pedagogical Mentor
St. John’s Nursery School, Waterloo
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Lisa Prinn
Indigenous Early Learning Support
Toronto District School Board (TDSB)
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Mme Lockhart
Special Ed Classroom Teacher and Structured Literacy Teacher
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Rachel Krahn
Master’s Student, School and Applied Child Psychology
Western University
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Robin McMillan
Innovator, Projects, Programs and Partnerships
Canadian Child Care Federation
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Tessa Weadman
PhD, Early Literacy Expert
La Trobe University
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Una Malcolm
Chief Academic Officer
Dyslexia Canada