Tara Flanagan
Family literacy coordinator
There’s no question that school has an important teaching role in our children’s lives, but we sometimes forget that children learn the most from their families – their first exposure to learning.
This inter-generational learning includes parents, children, siblings, step-family, grandparents, caregivers, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, neighbours and others as identified by the family.
Everyday life brings opportunities for learning that help adults and children build relationships, gain skills, accomplish work and participate in their communities. The tasks we do at home are essential in teaching life literacy skills to our young ones.
Day-to-day household activities such as sorting socks and matching pairs or putting groceries away while organizing canned goods are learning opportunities for our children’s growing brains.
Following a recipe by cooking or baking – including measuring ingredients and setting timers — is another great family literacy activity.
Even in the car, opportunities abound – looking for shapes or familiar words on signs, singing to music or playing eye-spy.
A new family literacy program hosted by Cariboo-Chilcotin Partners for Literacy (CCPL) is shining a flashlight on the fun ways that kids can learn with their parents, caregivers and other family members.
Family Fort Night is a fun-filled evening with a pizza dinner, blanket fort building and reading books by flashlight, along with fun games and storytelling. The event takes place a few times throughout the year in 100 Mile House, so keep an eye on CCPL’s Facebook page for dates!
Exposure to books and reading does not have to be a one-size-fits-all experience. Be creative and have fun with it making it a unique and special time for your family.
Family Literacy Week takes place across Canada January 21-28 as a way to celebrate adults and children reading and learning together. Every year Black Press Media community newspapers join with local groups to promote literacy.
