Strong Start to Reading

Hearing “I’m bored” on repeat?

We’re here to help! 📚

Strong Start’s free At-Home Resources make it easy to turn everyday moments into screen-free opportunities to read, play and learn together.
Simple activities. Busy minds. No elaborate prep required.

When a child opens a new book, their world gets a little bigger. 💙

Educators lead the work of teaching children to read — and your donation helps Strong Start provide the extra support that makes a difference along the way.

📖 Give the gift of reading through the link in our bio.

When children dive into stories they love, it can boost their confidence, help them manage stress, and give them a safe space to explore their feelings.
Swipe to learn the benefits of reading for fun! 📚 These moments of joy and imagination support their confidence and overall well-being.

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Voting is open! 💛

Strong Start has been nominated in the 2026 Waterloo Region Readers’ Choice Awards in the Best Non-Profit/Foundation category, and we would be so grateful for your vote. For 25 years, Strong Start has worked alongside educators and community partners to support children as they build confidence and early literacy skills.

To our program partners, volunteers, families, donors, employees, and community members who help make it possible — thank you.
Your vote helps celebrate the community behind every strong start. 📚✨

Happy August long weekend! ☀️
Whether you are heading outdoors, spending time with family or enjoying a few days at home, we hope your weekend is filled with simple moments of connection, play and, of course, a good story or two.
Wishing you all a safe and happy long weekend!

Reading is not automatic.

Children are naturally wired to develop spoken language, but learning to read requires explicit, intentional instruction and repeated practice.

That is why the Science of Reading matters. It helps identify the foundational skills children need to become readers, including phonological awareness, letter-sound knowledge, blending, decoding, fluency, and comprehension.

Our Letters, Sounds and Words program is grounded in research and designed to work alongside educators. Through trained volunteers and carefully designed games and activities, children receive targeted one-on-one practice during the instructional day.
This is community-powered literacy in action: practical, research-aligned, and focused on helping children build the skills and confidence to become lifelong readers.

Strong readers are supported by strong communities. 💙📚

Thank you to United Way Waterloo Region for helping Strong Start provide children in our community with the literacy support, encouragement and confidence they need to grow.

We’re grateful for your continued investment in young readers and the brighter futures that begin with a strong start.

Looking for a screen-free way to support reading at home? 📚✨

Strong Start’s At-Home Resources are full of simple, playful activities that turn everyday moments into early literacy practice—from rhyming games and letter hunts to reading together in fun new ways.

No apps. No worksheets. Just small moments that help children build confidence with sounds, words, and stories.

Explore the At-Home Resources at the link in our bio.💙