LetterSchool will celebrate the International Literacy Day on the 8th of September! Join us!
Together with our company’s passion for education and commitment to global literacy, LetterSchool is proud to celebrate the International Literacy Day on the 8th of September!
What is Literacy Day?
UNESCO’s International Literacy Day is celebrated annually on the 8th of September and aims at raising global awareness on the issue surrounding adult and child literacy. This initiative was first held in 1966 and is now officially part of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals program adopted in 2015. Hence, part of their agenda is to promote universal access to quality education and learning opportunities for everyone.
In this way, International Literacy Day aims at not only stimulating the importance of literacy, but also at shedding light on the changes and improvements being made worldwide in literacy development
“The world has changed since 1966, but our determination to offer every woman and man with the capacities, skills, and opportunities to become everything they wish, in respect and dignity, remains as firm as ever. Literacy is a foundation to build a more sustainable future for all.” – UNESCO Director-general Irina Bokova.
Why is Literacy Day important?
International Literacy Day is essential to be celebrated and supported, since it strives to spread awareness about the importance of literacy to individuals, society, and communities. Indeed, research has shown that the UN reported that 103 million youth worldwide lack basic literacy skills. Similarly, according to UNESCO’s facts, an estimated 774 million people in the world are illiterate, with women making up two-thirds of this statistic. For this reason, Literacy Day is of key importance because we believe literacy is the foundation for personal development and growth. Accordingly, through Literacy Day, LetterSchool strives to encourage the development of literacy and skills, as well as to ultimately improve people’s lives and work and contribute to equitable and sustainable societies.
How can you make a difference?
Fortunately, there are various ways one can make a difference not only on Literacy Day, but as a continuous effort. Here are a few tips on what you can do to make a difference in literacy development:
- Read regularly to your child, but most importantly, stimulate them to read aloud and really take the time to listen to them read, even if it’s just for 10 minutes every day. On the same note, make sure to find books of interest to them which also includes stimulating illustrations.
- Set your child a reading challenge with a compensation or prize to motivate them. For instance, if a child finishes a book every week, they will earn a gold star or some of their favorite snacks.
- Create a reading wall with small pieces of colored cards pinned to a board, so that your child can share what books they have read and be able to keep track of their own progress.
- Take advantage of short stories, since they ensure children and students can be engaged with the book without investing too much time or energy.
- Donate or swap books in schools, within your neighborhood, in local libraries and local charities, as well as donating books online.
- Participate and donate to causes such as the International Literacy Day, in order to show your support and that you also value the importance of global literacy. Make a difference and donate by clicking on the link below:
https://www.savethechildren.org/us/what-we-do/events/literacy-day
So let’s pledge on this Literacy Day, we learn, we teach, we inspire, to make our future full of knowledge and success!
