Promoting reading as a critical tool for early childhood education
Implemented by The Asia Foundation | 2021-ongoing
The problem
Early reading is one of the most effective ways to build the foundational language, cognitive and socio-emotional skills critical to young children's learning and development. Yet culture of reading with young children is not widespread among Mongolian parents and caregivers.
Fewer than 10% of children aged five or younger are read to daily, and under 40% at least once a week. Meanwhile, only one in three children have three or more books at home. Together, these figures reveal a critical gap in children's early years — one with lasting consequences for their school readiness and development.
The solution
Our portoflio partner The Asia Foundation, an international nonprofit with over 30 years of experience in Mongolia, is promoting the culture of early reading through an ecosystem approach that brings together local partners GerHub, the Mongolian Education Alliance and Whyze Agency across four interconnected areas.
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Translating and creating children's books that reflect Mongolian children's own language, and culture.
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Reaching families through public campaigns and targeted community engagement initiatives.
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Creating joyful shared reading experiences for children and equipping parents, caregivers and teachers with effective read-aloud skills.
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Working with government to integrate reading into Mongolia’s early childhood education system.
Results so far
7,799
Young children reached.
5,315
Parents, caregivers, and educators trained.
Curriculum integration
Early reading incorporated into the revised national pre-primary curriculum, with teacher training on reading-aloud methodology underway in collaboration with the Ministry of Education.
"My daughters now want me to read them a book every night-before, they would just tear them”
Khaliun, a mother of three, is witnessing how reading together is helping her children learn, grow and express themselves. She is an active participant in Storytime events, part of the Let’s Read Mongolia project.