Sunday 24 January 2010

Sunday January 24th, 2010 Family Literacy Day

With Family Literacy Day just around the corner, you might be wondering what it’s all about. In 1999, ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation and Honda Canada founded Family Literacy Day with the goal of encouraging literacy among families and to create opportunities for families to read and learn together. This event is held every year on Jan. 27. While the common assumption may be that literacy refers to the ability to read, it involves much more than that. Literacy can be improved through reading, singing, telling a story, learning about different cultures, following a recipe, or playing a game.

Thunder Bay will be celebrating Family Literacy Day with a storytelling Family Supper Night at the Thunder Bay Indian Friendship Centre on Jan. 26. Traditional Aboriginal stories and songs will be shared with Friendship Centre participants. If you missed the special presentation of Literacy is Magic! at the Thunder Bay Public Library on Jan. 23 we will also be celebrating with a preschooler Beginning With Books program in the story hour room at the Brodie Resource Library 10:30 am on Jan. 27.

Other ways to celebrate Family Literacy Day include getting a group of families together to do literacy related crafts (such as bookmarks) or organize a “book swap” where gently used materials can find a new home and you can pick up something interesting as well. Or simply spend some time with your family, exchanging stories, discussing books, or participating in a project together. Your public library has lots of ideas stashed on the shelves so come by and take a browse through the latest fiction, current events, blockbuster films, and crafting books for some inspiration. The TBPL website will also provide insight into literacy related websites and guides for parents. Go to www.tbpl.ca / Services / Parents for links to further resources.

So on that note, think about taking some extra time out to do something different with your family at home, outside, or at the library where, let’s face it, everyday is family literacy day!

Jesse Roberts, Head of Reference Services

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