Invest in Literacy, Cultivate Opportunity.
Discover how you can help your child unlock the world of reading and build a strong foundation for their future.
Learn HowUnderstanding Childhood Illiteracy
The Challenge of Functional Illiteracy in the Philippines
Functional illiteracy continues to pose a serious problem in the Philippines. The Philippine Statistics Authority’s 2024 Functional Literacy, Education, and Mass Media Survey (FLEMMS), reported that 18.9 million Filipinos (aged 10 to 64 years) have essential comprehension skills for functional literacy in their everyday lives, or can read, write, and compute; yet those that are unable to truly understand its meaning and value. This is particularly concerning, as 21% (representing 1 in 5) of Senior High School graduates lack the functional literacy skills as defined by UNESCO, which are qualifications for community participation, personal situational improvement and development.
The absence of these functional literacy skills limits opportunities for employment and growth and perpetuates a cycle of poverty and levels of activity in communities, which creates a barrier to progress on national level. The campaign's goal is to empower parents and communities to help children start successfully on a path to early literacy development, so all Filipino children build the foundational skills necessary to fluently and confidently succeed!
Tips for Parents
Practical Ways to Support Your Child's Reading
Simple daily activities can make a huge difference! Try incorporating these ideas into your routine:
- Read Aloud Daily: Even 15 minutes of reading together builds vocabulary and comprehension. Choose engaging books and use expressive voices!
- Create a Reading Nook: Designate a cozy, quiet corner with comfortable seating and good lighting to make reading a special time.
- Play Word Games: Games like "I Spy" with letter sounds ("I spy something starting with 'B'!") or simple rhyming games make learning fun.
- Talk About Books: Ask questions about the story, characters, and pictures. Connect the story to your child's own experiences.
Explore our downloadable guides for more detailed activities and age-specific tips!
Downloadable Resource Kits
Get started with our curated resource kits, packed with helpful guides and activities. Access them to use offline anytime!
Parent's Guide to Early Reading
A downloadable kit including step-by-step activities for ages 3-8, tips for reading aloud, and checklists for recognizing milestones.
Teacher's Phonics & Activity Toolkit
Classroom resources including engaging phonics games, ideas for reading centers, and printable activity sheets.
Student's Learning Fun Kit
Engaging worksheets, interactive reading games, and fun story starters designed for students to explore independently.
Recommended Books for Parents & Kids
Explore these insightful books to help you support your child's reading journey and find engaging stories for them.
Note: These book recommendations are not sponsored and are curated by the website creators for the purpose of sharing valuable resources that can help.
Ang Pambihirang Buhok ni Raquel (Raquel's Fantastic Hair)
Author: Luis P. Gatmaitan, MD (Illustrated by Beth Parrocha-Doctolero)
This charming children's story tells the tale of Raquel, a young girl who is often teased because of her unusually messy and unruly hair. Through her journey, she learns to embrace her unique qualities and understand that beauty comes in many forms, regardless of what others might say. It's a story that promotes self-acceptance and resilience.
Buy Online
Ang Alamat ng Ampalaya (The Legend of the Bitter Melon)
Author: Augie Rivera (Illustrated by Kora Dandan-Albano)
This popular Filipino legend tells the whimsical story of how the bitter melon (ampalaya) got its distinct taste. It introduces various vegetables, each boasting about their sweet or appealing flavors, and a lonely vegetable named Ampalaya who wished to be delicious. A greedy act by Ampalaya leads to its unique bitterness, which it then shares with other vegetables.
Buy Online
Florante at Laura
Author: Francisco Balagtas
Florante at Laura is an epic poem written in Tagalog in the 19th century. It is a profound work of Philippine literature, often considered Balagtas's masterpiece. The story follows Florante, a duke of Albania, who is unjustly imprisoned and tells of his life, love for Laura, and the treachery he faced. It subtly critiques the injustices and abuses during the Spanish colonial period through allegory.
Read Online
The Invisible String
Author: Patrice Karst (Illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff)
This heartwarming picture book introduces the beautiful concept of an invisible string that connects us to those we love, no matter the distance or circumstance. It's a comforting read that gently addresses themes of separation anxiety, loss, and the enduring nature of love.
Buy Online
Charlotte's Web
Author: E.B. White (Illustrated by Garth Williams)
A timeless classic, this novel tells the enchanting story of Wilbur, a lovable pig, and his extraordinary friendship with Charlotte A. Cavatica, a wise and eloquent spider. It's a touching narrative that explores themes of friendship, loyalty, life cycles, and the power of words.
Buy Online
The Gruffalo
Author: Julia Donaldson (Illustrated by Axel Scheffler)
This imaginative and rhyming story follows a clever little mouse who invents a terrifying creature called the Gruffalo to scare away predators. To his surprise, he soon encounters the real Gruffalo! With its rhythmic text and engaging illustrations, it's a delightful adventure filled with wit and charm.
Buy Online
Progressive Phonics (English Program & Printable Books)
Author: Progressive Phonics (Independent/Online Program)
Progressive Phonics is a comprehensive, all-in-one phonics reading program designed to make learning to read English easy, fun, and accessible. It teaches children to read by breaking down sounds (phonemes) and their spellings (graphemes), and also incorporates essential sight words. This resource provides a structured and sequential approach to foundational reading skills.
Access ProgramKey Information & Resources
Why Early Literacy Matters
Building strong reading foundations before age 8 drastically improves future learning and opportunities. It's key to breaking poverty cycles.
Spotting Early Warning Signs
Learn to recognize potential reading challenges early, such as difficulty with rhyming, letter sounds, or remembering simple words.
Community & NGO Programs
Discover local initiatives like Basa Pilipinas, Alpabasa, and Ang Galing! that offer structured reading support and resources.
Simple Home Reading Routines
Just 15 minutes of daily reading, talking about stories, and playing simple word games can significantly boost your child's literacy skills.
Recognizing Literacy Milestones
Use this checklist to get a general idea of common literacy milestones. Remember, children develop at their own pace. If you have concerns, consult with a teacher or pediatrician.
Take the Reading Pledge!
Commit to making a difference! Pledge to read with a child for at least 15 minutes every day. Small actions create big impacts.
You'll be redirected to a simple form to record your commitment.
Activity of the Month: Story Stones
Spark imagination and storytelling skills with this simple and fun activity that can be adapted for all ages!
What are Story Stones?
Story Stones are smooth, flat stones with simple pictures painted or drawn on them. Each picture represents a character, object, setting, or action that can be used as a prompt for creating a story.
What You'll Need:
- Smooth, flat stones (collect them on a nature walk!)
- Permanent markers or acrylic paints & brushes
- (Optional) Varnish or sealant to protect the pictures
- A small bag or box to keep them in
How to Play:
- Create Your Stones: Draw or paint simple pictures on your stones. Think of common story elements: sun, house, tree, cat, boy, girl, car, key, star, heart, etc. Let them dry completely.
- Pick a Stone: Have your child reach into the bag and pick a stone without looking.
- Start the Story: Begin a story based on the picture on the stone. For example, if they pick a stone with a sun, you could start with "Once upon a time, on a very sunny day..."
- Continue the Story: Take turns picking stones and adding to the story based on the new picture. Encourage creativity and silliness!
- Variations:
- Use a set number of stones to create a complete story.
- Have one person tell the whole story using multiple stones.
- Use the stones to retell a favorite book in a new way.
Why it's great: Story Stones encourage vocabulary development, sequencing skills, imagination, and collaborative storytelling.
Daily Word Challenge
Test your vocabulary with our daily word puzzle! Guess the three 5-letter words.
Loading Word Challenge...
3D Word Grid Challenge
Use the arrow keys to move the red sphere. Collect letters in the correct order to spell the target word. Click and drag the mouse to rotate the view!
Share Your Success!
Be inspired by others and share your own journey! Your story can motivate and help fellow parents and educators.
Maria S. - Parent from Quezon City
"Using the reading tips and the milestone checklist helped me understand how to support my son. He's now excited about our daily reading time!"
Teacher Lito - Grade 1 Educator
"The downloadable toolkits are fantastic! I've used the phonics game ideas in my classroom, and the kids love them. It's made learning more engaging."
Anna B. - Community Volunteer
"I started a small reading club in our barangay using the 'Story Stones' activity. It's amazing to see the children's confidence grow each week."
Get Involved: Volunteer & Partner
Join us in making a lasting impact on literacy in the Philippines. Whether you're an individual wanting to volunteer or an organization looking to partner, your support is crucial.
Become a Reading Buddy (Upcoming Feature)
We are developing a program to connect volunteers with children for reading sessions. This feature is currently in the making and will be available as we grow and expand our reach.
Partner With Us
We are open to collaborating with schools, NGOs, LGUs, and businesses to expand our reach and impact. If you are interested in partnering with us, please reach out.
Discuss Partnership (via Contact)Contact Us for Partnerships and Inquiries
If you are interested in partnering with us or have any other professional inquiries, please use the form below to get in touch. We look forward to hearing from you.
You can also reach us directly via email at: uplite.site@gmail.com
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