At this time of year, we start to think about a fresh start. The new school year is approaching and with it comes the anticipation of a new beginning. It’s a clean slate - with potential for all sorts of experiences and learning. The anticipation is sometimes mixed with excitement, and a bit of hesitation, for what lies ahead. There might be new school shoes, fresh pencils, unmarked scribblers and packages of binder paper. There is excitement about who this year’s teachers will be, what friendships will be made and how hard the work will be.

As children, youth and adults head back to school, there will be other kinds of fresh starts. New Canadians and refugees will be settling in their new homes and may be learning English in community-based programs. New parents will be taking their little ones to programs like Mother Goose, Love 2 Learn and Together to Learn, to get a great start through rhymes, songs and stories. Seniors and adults will be dropping in to programs for help with new devices like iPads and tablets. Adults learning new skills will show what they have learned through earning digital badges.

We have many “fresh starts” in our lives. It’s part of being a life long learner, and has a big impact on individuals and communities. Here are a few statistics on the impact of literacy and learning from Decoda Literacy Solution’s website:

• Regardless of socio-economic background, children whose parents read books to them in their early school years had better reading test scores at age 15.
• Having strong literacy, numeracy and problem solving skills is positively connected to being part of the labour market. It is also associated with being employed and earning higher wages.
• Investment in education and skills training (human capital) is three times as important to economic growth over the long run as investment in machinery and equipment (physical capital).

This September is the 3rd Annual Literacy is Life campaign, hosted by Decoda Literacy Solutions. This year’s theme is “A Fresh Start.”  Communities around BC are proclaiming September as Literacy Month and are participating in a variety of literacy awareness and fundraising events.

It takes courage to embrace a new beginning … and you can help! In the Columbia Basin and Boundary watch for the 6th Annual Reach a Reader campaign, which supports community-based literacy programs across the region. Save your coins for the new Loonies for Literacy piggy banks you’ll start seeing in local businesses and at community programs. Support businesses like Blue Sky Clothing Co, which is helping to “Sock it to Literacy” by donating $1 to local literacy programs for every pair of “reading purple” socks sold. Or, volunteer to tutor an adult learner or newcomer to your community.

Let’s work together to support these new beginnings.

​You can learn more about CBAL's community-based literacy programs in your community by visiting our Community Programs page. 

Joan Exley
Community Literacy Coordinator
Columbia Basin Alliance for literacy - Nelson

Summer holidays are almost here! Soon the air will be filled with laughter and children will be frolicking in the sun, making memories that will last a lifetime.    After spending the last ten months in a classroom, children are ready to be with their friends, seek out adventure, and be free from the everyday responsibilities that come with being a student.  

Learning should be fun and engaging, and that is why summer is the best time of year to help children maintain their learning momentum.   There are endless opportunities for parents and children to participate in learning activities over the summer - because learning happens everywhere!   

Keep up the learning momentum with these activities:

1.  Lemonade Stand

Develop a plan for advertising, mixing ingredients, engaging with customers, and counting money - skills for everyday life.

2.  Backyard Science

With a little imagination and a few household items, help your child become a science whiz.  If you need some ideas, visit:
http://www.science-sparks.com/2013/05/19/summer-science/

3.  Reading Blog Challenge

Do you have a tween or teen who loves to read, but is always itching to get onto the next book?   If you are tech savvy and have an interest in blogging, consider helping your child build a book blog.  As with any online learning, safety is key, but with your supervision this could be a way to challenge your child and extend his learning. 

4.  Summer Memory Book

Help your child capture summer memories by documenting her favourite moments. A simple scrapbook is all you need to get started.  Add pictures, stories, and mementos.  This is an easy and simple activity will become a shelf favourite for years to come! 

5.  Garden Together

Children love to get dirty, they love to learn, and they love to be outside! What better way to capitalize on their curious natures than by getting them to help you in the garden.

Learning together is a gift.  Not only are you sharing an experience with your child, you are strengthening that special parent-child bond.   Actively engaging your child in learning activities throughout the summer will help to bridge the gap between the end of a school year and the start of a new one.  

Kick off your summer right and let the learning begin!


Desneiges Profili
Regional Program Manager
Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy