Each year Jan. 27 marks Family Literacy Day in Canada. This annual celebration of families learning together happens in schools, libraries, learning centres and homes from coast to coast to coast.
Created by ABC Life Literacy Canada (ABC) in 1999, Family Literacy Day also presents the opportunity for organizations to raise awareness around the importance of reading and engaging in literacy activities as a family.
Author Barbara Reid, named honorary chair, will participate in several Family Literacy Day events, including a January 2016 Tweet Chat for fans of all ages.
She has also created special Barbara Reid Family Literacy Day tips that incorporate literacy activities using her signature art form – modelling clay.
“Through my work as an author and illustrator I encourage reading and literacy engagement. Families reading and playing together is an important theme that I often include in my books. I have been participating in Family Literacy Day events for many years now and I look forward to increasing my participation in this exciting new role,” said Reid.
“ABC is very excited to have Barbara Reid as the Family Literacy Day honorary chair for 2016,” said Gillian Mason, president of ABC Life Literacy Canada.
“Barbara’s books reach parents, children, teachers, librarians, and literacy practitioners across the country—she connects with the very people we strive to rally for Family Literacy Day. With her support, we know even more Canadians will celebrate learning together this coming Jan. 27.”
Learning can happen at any time and ABC encourages Canadian families to have “15 Minutes of Fun” learning together this Family Literacy Day.
Literacy tips
1. Number walk: Choose something to count during a walk. It could be dogs, trees, stop signs, cars – anything! On your walk, count how many you can find.
2. Word wall: Learn one new word every day. Display them on a family word wall Can you make a sentence with the words on your wall?
3. Have a book-nic: Organize an indoor picnic with books and tasty treats. Choose a theme – try honey-flavoured cereal and read Winnie the Pooh.
4. Game on: Start family board game night. Take turns reading instructions and game cards as well as keeping score.
Visit FamilyLiteracyDay.ca for more fun ideas.
