To recognize Family Literacy Day 2016, Bruce County Public Library and Ontario Early Years Centres in Bruce County are partnering to offer special activities for families in several of our communities. You could attend the pyjama and teddy bear HiBEARnation in Teeswater and Mildmay, have some Bathtime fun in Chesley, Tara and Paisley, participate in a Storybook Trail in Kincardine, Tiverton, Lucknow and Ripley or take your little ones to sing songs, play games and hear stories in Port Elgin, Southampton, Sauble Beach, Wiarton, Lion’s Head, Tobermory, or Walkerton.
Family Literacy Day is a national awareness initiative created by ABC Life Literacy Canada in 1999 and held annually January 27 to promote the importance of reading and engaging in other literacy-related activities as a family. ABC Life Literacy Canada encourages families to have “15 Minutes of Fun” learning together every day. Playing with language together as a family improves a child’s proficiency and also helps adults keep their skills sharp.
Family Literacy Day is gradually becoming a national cultural event. Last year, #FamilyLiteracyDay trended fourth in Canada on Twitter, with one story published every eight seconds, as participants and organizers shared their events and comments. This year, ABC Life Literacy is pleased to have popular children’s author and artist Barbara Reid as their Honorary Chair. Literacy tips, ideas and printable activities along with a video message from Ms. Reid can be found on the website: FamilyLiteracyDay.ca.
For more information about Family Literacy Day programs in your local community including dates, times and locations, please visit the Bruce County Public Library events website (library.brucecounty.on.ca/events), call or visit your local library branch, or contact your local Ontario Early Years Centre (http://www.brucecounty.on.ca/services-health/social-services/childrens-services.php).