Two young children sit at a table together and look at colorful picture books. Save the Children’s early learning programs promote reading from a young age. Photo credit: Susan Warner / Save the Children 2016.

Take Action and See Your Impact

Research shows that the gap in reading ability between strong and struggling readers widens with age. That's why it's critical that from a young age, children are read aloud to, have access to books in the home and are exposed to literacy activities.

Parents and caregivers can use the activation resources below to support their child’s language and literacy development. Download these PDFs to access fun and helpful tools designed to increase children’s access to books and exposure to literacy activities throughout your community.

Downloadable RESOURCES

Preschooler Ryder, 3 with his "Raising a Reader" book bag. The book exchange program lets provides a different set of books weekly for students to take home. Save the Children supports the Queets Head Start program through it's Early Step of School Success porgram. Photo credit: Susan Warner / Save the Children 2015.

Reading Kits
Reading kits increase children’s access to books and language activities at home. They can be easily assembled and distributed at various locations.

Easton, Kellen and Ada share a book on the playground at Save the Children’s Head Start center in Arkansas, on April 27, 2017. Photo credit: Eli Murray / Save the Children 2017.

Reading Celebrations
Events like literacy fairs demonstrate fun activities that build easy-to-replicate early literacy skills, making them accessible to everyone.

Third grader Naci, a sponsored child poses with a pile of books in her Save the Children supported in-school literacy program. She is 8-years-old. Photo credit: Susan Warner / Save the Children 2014.

Book Drives
Book drives and distribution events increase children’s access to age-appropriate reading materials. They also build awareness and support in the community about the importance of reading.

Toll House, a Local business unveils it's reading corner with a read-a- loud with Mayor Pro-Tem Tyron Coleman and students from the local pre-school. The reading corner is a new community initiative with local business, housing communities and doctors offices to foster everyday reading with children. Photo credit: Susan Warner / Save the Children 2016.

Be a Reading Champion
Support libraries, faith-based institutions, schools and many other places in your community by incorporating literacy and early learning activities into their existing programming.

Learn how to create a Little Free Library to promote literacy and a love of reading right in your neighborhood! Photo credit: Save the Children 2016.

Little Free Library®
Learn how to create a Little Free Library to promote literacy and a love of reading right in your neighborhood!

A StoryWalk® is a fun, family engagement activity that builds children's interest in reading and provides the health benefits of walking. Photo credit: Save the Children 2020.

StoryWalk®
A StoryWalk® is a fun, family engagement activity that builds children's interest in reading and provides the health benefits of walking.

A teacher reading to her students during a HEAD Start program. Photo credit: Susan Warner / Save the Children 2015.

Do It Yourself
Enhance and grow existing reading and literacy programs Rotary International clubs are already engaged in by incorporating Together, We Read materials.

Two-year-old Michelle enjoys the reading corner at the Alamosa Family Medical Center. The reading corner is a new community initiative with local business, housing communities and doctors offices to foster everyday reading with children. Photo credit: Susan Warner / Save the Children 2016.

Reading Corners
Reading corners provide literacy-rich areas in public reception rooms and encourage ‘reading while you wait.’

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