This web-based resource was launched in 2007 by the Canadian Language and Literacy Research Network (CLLRNet) and was supported by CLLRNet until 2010. From 2010 to 2013, the Encyclopedia of Language and Literacy Development (Encyclopedia) was funded by the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders at The University of Western Ontario, under the direction of Dr. Donald G. Jamieson (Editor-in-Chief) and Dr. Jeren Balayeva (General Editor). As of September 1, 2013, the Encyclopedia is available in archival form only. No new entries will be added to the Encyclopedia for the foreseeable future.
 
As of September 2013, the Encyclopedia is the first comprehensive, authoritative, and science-based online resource focused on children's language and literacy development for the Canadian education sector. The Encyclopedia helps to provide answers to questions about children's language and literacy – answers that are based on relevant and up-to-date research presented in an easily accessible format. Early learning childcare practitioners, teachers, policymakers, and parents can all draw on the Encyclopedia for reliable, evidence-based information to support their daily practices and to make decisions in the best interests of the children in their care.
 
The Encyclopedia covers a wide range of topics, including the development of oral language, reading, writing, and numeracy. In order to provide in-depth, quality information, each topic (section) is broken down into several Encyclopedia entries, and each entry (an article about 2,000 words in length) focuses on a specific aspect of the topic. Each topic has been coordinated by leading Canadian language and literacy researchers who helped to identify authors and review entries. The participation of these section editors has been critical to the project's success.
 
Moreover, the goal of the Encyclopedia has been to bring the best international research on language and literacy development to Canada. Thus, in addition to the many expert Canadian researchers contributing to the Encyclopedia, there have been contributors from 11 countries, including researchers from the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Finland, New Zealand, Germany, Israel, China, Jordan, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.