Happy International Literacy Day!

“Since 1967, International Literacy Day (ILD) celebrations have taken place annually around the world to remind the public of the importance of literacy as a matter of dignity and human rights, and to advance the literacy agenda towards a more literate and sustainable society. Despite progress made, literacy challenges persist with 771 million illiterate people around the world, most of whom are women, who still lack basic reading and writing skills and are faced with increased vulnerability.

Rapidly changing global context took a new meaning over the past years, hampering the progress of global literary efforts. In the aftermath of the pandemic, nearly 24 million learners might never return to formal education, out of which, 11 million are projected to be girls and young women. To ensure no one is left behind, we need to enrich and transform the existing learning spaces through an integrated approach and enable literacy learning in the perspective of lifelong learning.

This year’s International Literacy Day will be celebrated worldwide under the theme, “Transforming Literacy Learning Spaces” and will be an opportunity to rethink the fundamental importance of literacy learning spaces to build resilience and ensure quality, equitable, and inclusive education for all.”
UNESCO

Today I will be talking to my children about literacy.

What it means to be literate and why it is so important?

We will be talking about why literacy is the foundation of all learning.

We will also be thinking about how life would be different and difficult if we could not read or write.

We will be using a powerpoint from Twinkl to guide our discussion.

We will be thinking together today about why UNESCO says that educating girls and women is particularly important.

We will be thinking about how Covid19 has affected literacy and education around the world through the past two years.

We will be thinking about how lucky we are to live in a house filled with books.

We will be choosing some books to donate to local schools and hospitals and second hand bookshops.

We will be thinking about how else we can help to share the joy of books with our wider community.

The children will be designing their dream book nook and we will be making posters to promote visiting local libraries.

We will be joining in with Read Hour.

We have a mix of activities going on including reading books and magazines, listening to audio stories and reading aloud to one another.

There are so many ways to read and in this house we embrace and encourage every which way.

How are you marking International Literacy Day and what will you be reading this Read Hour?