Family literacy is about the whole family learning together, so children have a strong foundation in literacy, and parents and grandparents can keep their own skills sharp, says Education, Early Learning and Culture Minister Doug Currie.
“By taking part in fun literacy activities, like reading as a family, parents can help their children build early literacy skills, and it can be as easy as spending time talking, singing, counting, reading and writing together,” said Minister Currie. “All it takes is 15 minutes of practice every day to help children build a foundation for lifelong learning.”
January 27th is Family Literacy Day. This annual national celebration encourages families to participate in literacy activities together. Learning happens everywhere and research shows that children’s achievements in school improve with increased parental involvement in their learning.
“Parents are a child’s first and most important teacher, they play a key role in supporting literacy development in children,” said Amanda Beazley, Director of the PEI Literacy Alliance. “There are so many fun and engaging ways parents can help their children learn.”
Activities to encourage family literacy include:
● Finding recipes online and making dinner as a family
● Have a family board game night
● Encouraging children to help with the grocery shopping by writing their own list and checking if off as you shop
● Have a number walk – go for a walk as a family and count how many dogs you see
A visit to a local library is also a great way to encourage literacy. The Public Library Service has a number of activities for Islanders of all ages that encourage learning, exploring, and spending time together.
“Establishing a culture of learning in a family encourages an exchange of ideas, enriches family relationships, and bolsters confidence and independent thinking,” says Workforce and Advanced Learning Minister Richard Brown. “By involving youth in family literacy early on, we encourage lifelong learning and career growth.
For more information on Public Library Service programs and services, visit http://library.pe.ca/programs
For more details on Family Literacy activities, please visit the PEI Literacy Alliance website at www.pei.literacy.ca or the national website at http://abclifeliteracy.ca/family-literacy