It takes a community to raise a reader

Literacy development goes beyond the classroom – it requires the combined efforts of schools, families, libraries and the wider community. These groups can create literacy-rich environments that encourage reading, writing and critical thinking for learners of all ages.

Literacy skills start at home

From an early age, a child's home environment has a big impact on their literacy skills. It is a combination of the family resources, parental behaviours and attitudes towards reading and existing community literacy practices and activities. From reading together to engaging in writing activities, children's home environments are the first places where their skills and motivation for reading are shaped.

Parental engagement is an important influence on pupils’ literacy skills. Schools should therefore develop strategies to involve families, such as:

• raising awareness among parents about the importance of being a reading role model for their children (teachers can share reading recommendations for parents who are not regular readers themselves)
• emphasising the importance of small daily habits (like reading together for 15 minutes per day)
• making sure the pupils and families are familiar with the local public library and have a library card (e.g. by organising a library visit for parents)
• encouraging discussions about books (the child’s favourite and least favourite things about a book, what they think the characters could have done differently, what in the book made them feel or think something new).
• paying attention to families with migrant background, who may need more targeted support (due to possible language barriers, cultural differences or limited integration)

Family literacy involves families holistically

The ‘family literacy’ approach focuses on the role of parents, grandparents and other family members in improving the reading and writing skills of the whole family. Adults keep their own skills sharp and also help children improve their skills by reading to and engaging in literacy activities with them. Without adult support and a strong foundation at home, a child is less likely to be successful and engaged in school.

Libraries: more than just books

Libraries are not just spaces for reading – they are hubs for digital literacy, critical thinking and community engagement. They provide inclusive spaces where people of all ages can come together to explore information, develop new skills and connect with others.

School-library collaboration can enrich pupils’ reading experiences through activities organised by libraries, such as hands-on activities (e.g. a journalistic workshop where pupils write short articles), reading programmes, storytelling hours and access to digital resources.

Libraries encourage independent learning by giving pupils the opportunity to set their own learning paces, choose their own materials and study based on their own personal interests and needs.

In rural areas – where digital tools may be limited – libraries can bridge the gap by offering digital literacy training, and help pupils develop research and information evaluation skills and combat misinformation.

Literacy promotion through community collaboration

Cooperation with the wider community can take many forms. For example, creative initiatives and cultural festivals can bring literature to life in exciting and interactive ways.

The REEPLAI project fosters community engagement and reading through reading parks – outdoor areas where children can explore books and participate in activities that promote cultural understanding. As a first step in the park, pupils are introduced to guidebooks on the different literary traditions from partner countries: Italy, Portugal and Ukraine.

The Words Matter project in Finland, winner of the 2024 FELA (Federation of European Literacy Associations) award supports adolescents’ literacy skills through rap workshops and teaching reading skills via music. The programme was developed by a multiprofessional team and supported with private funding, and has so far reached over 10 000 young participants.