Family Literacy Day is a national awareness initiative created by ABC Life Literacy Canada in 1999 and held annually on January 27 to raise awareness of the importance of reading and engaging in other literacy-related activities as a family. Its aim is to highlight the importance of family literacy to individuals, communities and societies. Barbara Reid, award-winning Canadian author and illustrator, is named Honorary Chair of Family Literacy Day.
Around the world, some 775 million adults lack minimum literacy skills; one in five adults are still not literate and two-thirds of them are women; 60.7 million children are out-of-school and many more attend irregularly or drop out. There is a clear connection between illiteracy and countries in severe poverty.
Family literacy programs focus on parents as the means to improve the reading, writing and communication skills of all family members. By reading to children and engaging in fun literacy activities, parents are actively keeping their own skills sharp while at the same time strengthening the relationship between the families and their children which, in turn, encourages lifelong learning. Taking time every day to read or do a learning activity with children is crucial to a child’s development. Even just 15 minutes a day can improve a child’s literacy skills dramatically, and can help a parent improve their skills as well.
This year, the Moose Jaw Literacy Network will partner with the Early Years Family Resource Centre (FRC), Early Childhood Coalition, the Moose Jaw Public Library (MJPL), the Palliser Regional Library, Regional Kids First, Wakamow Valley Authority (WVA), the Friendly City Optimist Club, and the Ministry of Education.
There will be Story Trails at the FRC, WVA, MJPL and at rural libraries starting January 27. Lots of books and activities will be provided. Many wonderful activities will take place at schools as well.
The Moose Jaw Literacy Network is a partnership between Prairie South School Division, Holy Trinity Catholic School Division, the Early Childhood Coalition, the Moose Jaw Public Library under the leadership of the Ministry of Education, the Regional Intersectoral Committee, and the Chamber of Commerce.
Submitted by Christine Boyczuk,
Literacy Coordinator
Moose Jaw Literacy Network
