Why Literacy Matters
By: Emily Truman | Published: 12/22/22 at 10:00 AM EST | Last Edited: 12/22/22 at 10:00 AM EST
Literacy skills are essential for education and overall wellbeing. Yet nearly half of Canadians struggle with literacy [1]. The effects of low literacy rates are profound and well-documented, from difficulty securing employment to negative health outcomes. Kids who struggle with literacy often have significant difficulty in the school environment, and are more likely to discontinue their studies. The key to raising the literacy rate of Candians is to equip youth with the resources and support that they need to build fundamental literacy skills early on. Big Little Books is on a mission to empower youth to develop literacy skills, one book at a time. The positive outcomes of increased literacy proficiency among youth include:
Better Education and Employment Outcomes
Early literacy skills are closely linked with high school graduation rates. As outlined in the report “Double Jeopardy: How Third-Grade Reading Skills and Poverty Influence High School Graduation”, students who fail to develop proficient literacy skills by fourth grade are four times more likely to not complete their secondary studies [2]. The impact of low literacy rates are even more stark for low income students. The report found that children from low-income neighborhoods who lack proficient literacy skills are six times more likely to not complete high school. The link between education level achieved and employment outcome is clear - the wage premium for workers with a university degree is 53% [3]. It is imperative that students are equipped with support they need to build literacy skills in order to achieve better education and employment outcomes.
Improved Wellbeing
The correlation between literacy and long-term health is strong: Literacy is more closely linked with long-term health trajectories than either income or occupation [4]. The “side effects” of low literacy include diminished physical health, poor mental and chronic illness [5]. When kids are given the support that they need to develop proficient literacy abilities, they are truly being equipped with one of the most important tools for lifelong wellbeing.
Stronger Community Connection
Individuals who lack literacy skills may face difficulties in some social settings, and often do not feel comfortable or confident in certain social situations. Literacy skill development is directly linked to increased community involvement and participation in social events. Notably, greater literacy skills are closely linked with increased voter participation.
Read more about this here:
BC/Radio Canada. (2021, July 9). Nearly half of adult Canadians struggle with literacy - and that's bad for the economy. CBCnews. Retrieved December 21, 2022, from https://www.cbc.ca/radio/costofliving/let-s-get-digital-from-bitcoin-to-stocktok-plus-what-low-literacy-means-for-canada-s-economy-1.5873703/nearly-half-of-adult-canadians-struggle-with-literacy-and-that-s-bad-for-the-economy-1.5873757
Hernandez, D. J. (2011, March 31). Double jeopardy: How third-grade reading skills and poverty influence high school graduation. Annie E. Casey Foundation. Retrieved December 21, 2022, from https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED518818
Bank of Canada. (2020). Learning and earning. Retrieved December 21, 2022, from https://www.bankofcanada.ca/2020/10/learning-and-earning/
Raphael, D. (2004). Social Determinants of Health: Canadian Perspectives (3rd ed.). Toronto, ON: Canadian Scholars Press.
Navsaria, D., & Sanders, L. M. (2015). Early literacy promotion in the digital age. Pediatric Clinics of North America, 62(5), 1273-1295.
Reach Out!
Want to support Big Little Books in our mission to empower youth through literacy? We’d love to have you on our volunteer team! If you would like to volunteer with us, please send us an email at adminteam@biglittlebooks.ca.