About Literacy Champions

The Literacy Champions programme connects community volunteers with local families with children aged two to five years who would benefit from advice about supporting their children’s early literacy development by:  

• improving children’s early literacy skills, helping them to reach their potential
• empowering parents to find ways of supporting their own children’s learning, by increasing parents’ awareness, confidence and day-to-day interaction with their children
• engaging volunteers in promoting the importance of literacy, empowering local people within their communities 

Through one-to-one sessions based in community settings, Literacy Champion volunteers encourage parents and carers to make sharing books and talking with their children part of their daily lives; promoting the importance of the home learning environment and giving practical, fun ideas for parents to support their children’s learning. 

In a lighter-touch volunteering opportunity linked to Literacy Champions, Literacy Ambassadors promote positive engagement in literacy in their community by encouraging parents with young children to take part in activities in their local area, for example, rhyme or story time sessions at the local library.

You can see examples of the programme in action in a short video here.

Why does parental involvement make a difference?

Parental involvement is the most important determinant of language development[1] and their support of their child’s interest in reading has more impact on their child’s achievement than their parents’ social class, employment status or level of education[2]. However, many parents are not aware of the importance they play in their child’s education[3].

Why does peer support make a difference?

The National Literacy Trust Partners in Literacy project found that changes in literacy within the home are often achieved through the influence of friends, neighbours and other community members.

Literacy Champions outcomes 

Children:

• increase their enjoyment of books and print
• increase their basic literacy skills
• improve literacy behaviours

Parents:

• increase their awareness of the importance of their role in supporting their children’s literacy
• improve their confidence in their ability to support their children’s literacy and learning
• increase their engagement in supporting their children’s literacy and learning

Volunteers:

• increase their knowledge of supporting family literacy
• experience a meaningful volunteering opportunity

[1] Institute of Education (2003) Sylva, K. et al. The Effective Provision of Pre-school Education (EPPE) Project: Findings from Pre-school to end of Key Stage 1
[2] Sanders, M. G. and Epstein, J. L. (1998). School-family-community partnerships and educational change: International perspectives. In A. Hargreaves, A. Lieberman, M. Fullan, and D. Hopkins (eds.) International Handbook of Educational Change. Hingham MA: Kluwer
[3] Harris, A. and Goodall, J. (2007). Engaging parents in raising achievement – do parents know they matter? Research Report DCSF RW004