International Literacy Day: Get Awesome Activities, Fun Reading Games plus the Best Books!

We're all about the importance and joy of reading here at Reading Eggs, so of course we had to get in on the act for this annual day that highlights just how important literacy is in children’s lives. Established by UNESCO in 1967, this event is celebrated each year on September 8th, serving as a reminder of the transformative power of reading and education.  

In the spirit of International Literacy Day, we’re spreading the love of reading with easy and exciting literacy ideas that you can adopt at home and throughout the year, with fun games, engaging activities and access to thousands of e-books for kids worldwide. 

International Literacy Day 2023 Focus: Overcoming Challenges 

The theme of this year's International Literacy Day is, ‘Promoting literacy for a world in transition: Building the foundation for sustainable and peaceful societies’.   

This is something we can all relate to! The pandemic threw us all some crazy curveballs, especially when it comes to how kids learn. Lots of young learners had to deal with their usual routines getting messed up, switching to online learning and let's be real, it wasn't always smooth sailing. 

Reading Eggs Primed Children for Literacy Success During COVID-19 

In the middle of all the challenges, Reading Eggs stepped up to support young learners. The adaptability and experience of Reading Eggs made sure that children aged 2–13 continued to receive high-quality literacy education even in a rapidly changing world.  

Studies have shown the positive outcomes of Reading Eggs' efforts during this period, highlighting its effectiveness in maintaining and improving children’s literacy skills. For example, one study showed that during the 2019⁠–⁠2020 school year, with half the year in remote learning due to COVID-19, Kindergarten students who spent just 26 minutes per week using Reading Eggs advanced by 1.1 year levels. 

The program's interactive and engaging approach helped children stay motivated while learning from home. As Reading Eggs provides an initial placement test, this enabled learners to begin at their own perfect level, advancing from there at their personalized pace. With this flexibility to access the program from anywhere, at any time, children had the opportunity to revisit lessons and refresh any skills they may have forgotten. Parents also found comfort that they could rely on a trusted, established program.  

6 Easy Ways to Celebrate International Literacy Day with Reading Eggs 

1. Play reading games

Reading games are a fantastic way to blend learning and fun for kids. They’ll help to ignite your child's enthusiasm for reading while building their skills. Check out our huge range of engaging reading games covering all key skills from phonics to comprehension and more.   

2. Printables practice

Engage children's creativity with printable reading worksheets that reinforce literacy skills. These hands-on exercises can be a great addition to their learning journey. 

3. Read books from the library

With a library featuring over 4000 books, Reading Eggs offers an unparalleled selection for young readers. This International Literacy Day, take the adventure a step further by encouraging kids to dress up as their favorite book characters, bringing the stories to life. 

4. Watch fun literacy-based videos  

Visual learning is an effective tool and Reading Eggs has incorporated it into their approach. The Reading Eggs program includes colourful animations in the online lessons teaching everything from the alphabet, phonemic awareness skills and spelling games. Best of all, your child will build their literacy skills while enjoying themselves – and not even realize it!  

5. Add books and customize your Reading Journal 

Your child can celebrate and support their daily reading, take ownership of their reading journey, engage in 'book talk' by rating and commenting on each book and stay motivated with exciting literacy-linked rewards. 

6. Outdoor literacy activities  

Literacy learning can happen anywhere and some children particularly thrive learning on the go. Use a reading activity from the program as a jumping-off point to inspire outdoor literacy ideas and extend what they’ve learned in the program. If they’ve been learning letters and sounds, point them out on a walk. If they’ve been reading, ask them to spell out familiar words while doing a supermarket shop.  

The pandemic highlighted the importance of adaptable teaching methods, not only during crises but also when children are homeschooled, learning on the go or unwell. This period in time showed us that learning never stops, whether children are in a traditional classroom or facing unique circumstances. This is why Reading Eggs' success during COVID-19 and commitment to versatility aligns so well with this year’s International Literacy Day theme. 

 So, as Reading Eggs celebrates International Literacy Day, we hope the suggestions above and our innovative, adaptable education solutions can make a lasting impact on your little one’s life. We hope they have lots of fun and feel empowered to thrive as confident readers and learners, no matter their learning style or circumstances. 

For more info check out the case study below of Reading Eggs during the COVID-19 shutdown: