The Moose Jaw Early Years Family Resource Centre (EYFRC) was bustling with parents and children age 0-5 on Jan. 26, as the Centre celebrated Family Literacy Day with the book Pete the Cat and the Perfect Pizza Party — and had their own pizza party.
"So, yes, today we are celebrating Family Literacy Day — which is actually tomorrow (the 27th), but we're celebrating it today — with a family pizza party," explained Wanda Peakman, director of the Moose Jaw EYFRC. "The theme for this year's literacy events is 'Let's have a family party', so we've invited families to come have a pizza party with us! So, together they are making the pizzas, and they'll enjoy eating them together, and we'll have lots of conversations around the table to promote literacy.
"We're also going to share a storybook with them, and then they'll get to take one home, as well, so it's really just a great day for family engagement, but also to support literacy and the importance of reading and talking and singing with your child at all ages. It's the foundational skill for building healthy brains and healthy relationships."
The pizza party was made possible by partnerships with the Moose Jaw Literacy Network and Saskatchewan Literacy Network as part of the province- and country-wide month of promoting literacy.
The EYFRC is located at 1250 11th Avenue NW. It includes a large, activity-packed drop-in play centre, a library with story boxes, tables, and (of course) lots of books, a kitchen, and several other activity rooms. Staff can be reached at office@moosejawfrc.ca or by at 306-691-0202.
The Centre is always looking for new families to join their community. They offer resources and support for families with children 0-5, including expecting mothers who might have questions or are planning for their new arrival. Thanks to Ministry of Education funding, and sponsorships from the Moose Jaw & District Chamber of Commerce, Saskatchewan Health Authority, and the Saskatchewan Government, all the EYFRC services and programs are free.
"We encourage you to come and meet us, and get a tour of our space," Peakman said. "We accept all families, we have a lot of newcomers, for example, with diverse backgrounds. So, come meet the staff, see what we have to offer, and then families can pick what's best for them."
Pizza Party attendees Angelique Grobler and her daughter Halley (17 months old) are originally from South Africa, and will have lived in Moose Jaw for a year this April. Grobler said the EYFRC has been a second home since their arrival.
"We've moved here almost a year ago now, my husband found a job here, working for a farmer," Grobler said. "I love (the EYFRC)! I've been coming with Halley since she was about six months, so she's grown up here, she knows everyone. She loves them all.
"We've done literacy events here often. It's been a good help for me, because her language isn't quite where it's supposed to be, and they've been a good help in getting her on track. Being a mum of two kids, in a new country, without any close family supports, it's good coming here and it starts to feel like home. They've been really good to us."
The next literacy event in Moose Jaw is an open house multicultural celebration at St. Agnes School on Jan. 30 from 5 to 7 p.m. The EYFRC, Moose Jaw Literacy Network, and additional related organizations will be on hand, and the community is invited.
