International Literacy Day: Before the ABC’s

Sep 10, 2026 Letters

Dear Editor,

Since 1967 UNESCO has held annual celebrations of International Literacy Day on 8^th September. According to their website: “It is an opportunity to remind policy-makers, practitioners and the public of the critical importance of literacy for creating more literate, just, peaceful, and sustainable society.”

Promoting early literacy begins well before children enter the school doors to receive formal organized instruction. It begins with fostering the development of cognitive skills that provide children with specific subject-based knowledge; the development of social-emotional skills necessary to communicate and cooperate. Parents have a critical role as their child’s first teacher when learning is happening during the everyday activities and moments they share with their child. Sharing a book with a baby opens a world of benefits that can last a lifetime. When reading to babies they are absorbing the rhythm, tones, sounds and flow of speech long before they understand words.

According to 2020 data on Guyana from the UNICEF Data Warehouse: “47% of children under age 5 have 3 or more children’s books.” To promote early literacy experiences, we must ensure access to developmentally and culturally appropriate books for children ages birth to five. Frequently engaging babies and toddlers in book exploration, storytelling and reading activities builds children’s knowledge and enriches their language development. The interactions that young children have with literacy materials (books, papers, crayons) and with the adults in their lives are the building blocks for language, reading and writing development.

We must invest resources into the National Library to provide families with literacy and learning resources including access to board and picture books as well as opportunities to participate in Storytime activities.

Once children enter school, we must foster strong home-school connections in every community which can support the development of early literacy skills to set every Guyanese child up for future success.

Regards,

Kathryn Jones, MS, EdD Candidate

Early Childhood Expert & Advocate

Founder & Executive Director, The Birth to Three Agenda

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