At the end of January, Family Literacy is celebrated here in BC! The purpose of Family Literacy Day is to raise awareness around the importance of reading and engaging in literacy-related activities as a family. Schools, libraries, and other community groups take part in events at the end of January to support life-long learning. This initiative was started by ABC Life Literacy Canada, a national non-profit organization that inspires Canadians to increase their literacy skills. They mobilize business, government and communities to support life-long learning.
This year, ABC Life Literacy Canada has created resources in English, French, Simplified Chinese, Tagalog and Arabic so you can learn together in your first language or practice your second or third language! You can sign up to access stories and activities for your whole family. With a strong literacy foundation starting at home, children are more likely to become successful and engaged in school as they grow older.
Participate in Family Literacy Day Through Your Local Library
There are a number of libraries throughout the Lower Mainland participating in Family Literacy Day. The focus will be on providing a fun and interesting way to bring your family together to focus on literacy.
Bring your family to the Vancouver Public Library to build a fort! That’s right, in their Family Fort Fun event, you can share stories together by flashlight once your fort is complete – they have great reading materials and supplies. All ages welcome.
Join Surrey Libraries for Spark Expo. They will be providing hands-on activities to celebrate Family Literacy Day including papercrafts, Dot & Dash, stop motion animation, a green screen photo area, family history, a pop-up library, and more.
Head to the North Vancouver District Public Library for a scavenger hunt. Pick up your sheet at the information desk and search the library for your favourite book characters to unlock a secret message.
In Maple Ridge, the Fraser Valley Regional Library will offer a Family Literacy Day event that demonstrates how families can learn, play and have fun together while developing literacy skills! Join them for a fun-filled day with Showstoppers Academy and a family dance party, as well as a resource fair, activities, contests and prizes for all ages.
Celebrate family storytime at the Burnaby Public Library with songs and instruments. Everyone is invited to participate in this drop-in event.
Family Literacy Day is a chance for you and your family to connect with the many resources and people available at your local library. Our Library Champions Project Facilitator, Branka Vlasic attended the event at the Clearbrook Public Library last year. While she was sharing information with a potential Champion, her 10-year-old child put these words together on the Scrabble board available. What else is there to say?
Mark your calendars for this family fun event coming to a library near you!