Supporting Early Childhood Literacy: Let's Make a Difference Together!

Cover photo by Natasha Hall on Unsplash.

Early childhood literacy is not just about learning to read. It’s about building a foundation for life. It's about sparking a child’s curiosity and helping them think critically, communicate effectively, and understand the world around them. But not all children have equal access to resources and opportunities that foster literacy. There is a literacy crisis that is disproportionately affecting millions of students in underserved communities. I have seen it firsthand: third and fourth graders reading on a first grade level, struggling through their subjects and being socially promoted to the next grade without the necessary foundation to succeed in school and beyond. Every child deserves full access to the opportunity to learn and grow! Here are just a few ways you can help:

1. Become a Tutor.

If you can spare only an hour a week, you can make a huge difference in a child's life! Teachers, particularly those working in schools in under-resourced communities, are already overstretched and undersupported, and cannot devote the amount of individualized attention that’s required to help students who have fallen behind. Thankfully, there are many organizations working to support teachers and students both in and out of the classroom by offering one-on-one or small group tutoring sessions.

I’ve personally worked for both Reading Partners and Amplify Education and can vouch for their effectiveness (hint: look for rigorous, evidence-based programs that use the science of reading approach). Alternatively, you can work or volunteer directly for a school by checking out your local school district to see if there are any literacy-based opportunities.

2. Donate to a Literacy Nonprofit.

Don’t have the time to volunteer? Consider making a financial donation to a literacy nonprofit. You can choose to give back to your own community by selecting an organization that is local to you–for example, Read for Literacy serves several counties in Ohio–or you can look at literacy nonprofits with a global reach like the World Literacy Foundation, or organizations supporting multiple regions across the country, like The Literacy Lab.

3. Start a Tiny Library.

I am very blessed to live in a neighborhood where tiny libraries just seem to pop up everywhere, like dandelions. These miniature book exchanges, often placed in front yards or community centers, invite people to “take a book, leave a book.” How does this support early childhood literacy? Simple: it makes books easily accessible, which is especially important in neighborhoods with limited access to public libraries. You could even go the extra mile by designing yours specifically with kids in mind.

To start a tiny library, all you need is a waterproof box or cabinet, a small collection of books, and a good spot to place it. Check your local zoning laws and your HOA, and then register your library on Little Free Library. Don't forget to spread the word in your community!

4. Donate Books to Schools or Nonprofits.

Got a collection of children's books gathering dust? Or maybe you’re willing to invest a little to buy new ones? Schools and nonprofits are often in need of quality books for students.

You can also check with shelters, churches, daycare centers, and any other place that could put children’s books into the hands of the young ones who need them. You can also donate books by mail with the well-established nonprofit First Books, which distributes books and educational materials to programs and schools with children in need in all 50 states and Canada.

If we want to give children the tools they need to pave their way into a bright and triumphant future–a right ALL children have–we must make early childhood literacy a priority. As individuals, it’s easy to think our contribution won’t make much of an impact, but where our systems fail it is up to all of us to do what we can to make a difference. You may not be able to see the impact you make, but know there is at least one child out there who will feel it and grow as a result of the support you’ve given.