Learning together builds family literacy

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This article was published 23/01/2018 (2981 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Family Literacy Day, held annually on Jan. 27, is a national awareness initiative created in 1999 by ABC Life Literacy Canada to raise awareness of the importance of engaging in literacy-related activates as a family, such as reading and writing.

Brenna King, community development programmer at NorWest Co-op Community Health, says family literacy is parents or caregivers and children learning together and supporting children’s literacy skills as they continue to grow and develop.

“Literacy is what children know about communication, language, and reading and writing in any language. Family literacy encompasses all experiences with conversation, stories — both oral and written, books, and print,” King said.

Setting a daily routine to take some time for a learning activity with your child is crucial to their development. Try activities such as letting your child assist you with a dinner recipe by having them measure out ingredients. Perhaps at dinnertime your family can share stories about the day. Not only will these activities help improve your child’s literacy skills dramatically but yours as a parent as well.

“One of the best ways to settle down at night is to read together before bed or share stories from your childhood,” King said.

Family literacy practices also help reduce stress and guide children to build positive associations with learning and reading, so that they will enjoy these things throughout their lives.

“Families can also provide books, newspapers and printed material in the home as this will expose children to written words on a daily basis. Parents and caregivers can also tell stories, sing songs, and play rhyming games with their children,” she said.

Including little games throughout parts of your day such as pointing out things you see as you walk or drive with your child, and asking questions about colour, purpose, or asking them to describe what else they observe, is a great way to practice family literacy.

King says many different family programs for play, arts and crafts, and cooking can be found in the Leisure Guide, Priceless Fun brochures, community centres, and schools throughout the city. Access subsidy for city programs that require a cost is also available for families that qualify.

“As adults, we serve as role models for younger generations to show that we enjoy reading and writing — these skills open up doors to unlimited possibilities in art and creativity, such as cooking and baking as a family,” King said.   

  Nancy Heinrichs is the executive director of NorWest Co-op Community Health Centre. Email questions or comments to nheinrichs@norwestcoop.ca