IBBY-Yamada 2024: Peru

IBBY-Yamada 2024: Peru
Leer en familia (Reading in Family)

In partnership with the Municipality of Los Olivos and Leer en Familia, CEDILI (IBBY Peru) launched a comprehensive early-literacy initiative to support families with young children through book-centred activities and reading mediation. The project aimed to reach 600 families with children under the age of three and provide training to 200 municipal workers and social promoters to integrate reading into early childhood development strategies.

The project unfolded in several phases, beginning with sensitization workshops for municipal authorities and frontline workers. These sessions emphasized the value of reading from infancy and laid the groundwork for deeper engagement. Social promoters then received training in reading mediation techniques, drawing on child development research and pedagogical approaches from Latin American literacy experts.

From July to September 2024, trained social promoters conducted structured home visits to 300 prioritized families. During these visits, they modelled interactive reading practices, distributed book packs, and offered practical tools to help caregivers foster language development and emotional bonding. Though limited by budget, the initiative ultimately benefited 2,000 families through literacy-focused home visits and awareness activities.

Reading mediation sessions were also held in public health centres and community spaces, including the Los Olivos Municipal Library and the municipal nursery, reinforcing the role of reading in family life and early education.

Project outcomes included a marked increase in reading habits, broader integration of literacy into daily routines, and greater availability and appreciation of children’s books in the home. Promoters and families alike praised the age-appropriateness of the materials and the impact on child development, particularly in supporting emotional regulation and communication.

The initiative has laid the foundation for future expansion, with potential extensions including digital literacy resources, longitudinal impact assessments, and replication of the model in other municipalities.