Jumpstart, a non-profit organization dedicated to early literacy, has released an analysis that presents some new data and zooms in on some of the more note-worthy findings in recent studies on literacy and children.

In a new poll of 504 American adults, it found that 95 percent of Americans recognize that early childhood literacy is "a very important issue," but only 18 percent of Americans are aware that children who lack early literacy skills are less likely to succeed as adults.

The report focuses on the gap in early literacy skills between children from low-income families and those who come from middle- and high-income families, as well as the lack of public awareness about early childhood literacy issues in the United States.

Most experts now believe that children who are introduced to literacy in their early years – through exercises like alphabet awareness, one-on-one book reading with adults and the practice of writing their names, not to mention knowledge of content – have a better chance for strong academic performance in higher grade levels.