The Province of British Columbia and communities across BC proclaimed January 22nd – 29th as Family Literacy Week. Family Literacy Week celebrates family literacy and raises awareness about the importance of reading and engaging in other literacy-related activities as a family.
This year’s theme was “Tuning into Music: Listen! Make! Move!” The theme highlights the vital role music plays in children’s lives and the importance of engaging in play-based literacy activities as a family.
CBAL communities across the Basin and Boundary celebrated all week with fun activities for the entire family. Music helped promote literacy skills while families had fun with song and rhyme.
Several communities enjoyed some musical fun with Mr. Mojo - a talented and entertaining children’s performer who sang and played music while families made instruments and danced along to the music. Some communities held Unplug and Play Challenges to reduce screen time.
Other events included family games, crafts, singing, drumming, puppet shows and “Book-nics.” Teddies slept overnight at the library, and families enjoyed story walks, face painting, spelling bees and sing and swim events. Preschoolers, parents, caregivers and staff enjoyed circle times, literacy-themed crafts, giveaways and nibbling on yummy snacks.
Families received handouts full of fun, music-based activities. Suggestions varied – from singing to babies and dancing with toddlers to making instruments with preschoolers.
These events didn’t just celebrate the benefits of literacy. They also brought awareness to the important role families play in life-long learning. Just spending 15 minutes a day reading, playing a game, singing, or following a recipe together can improve a child’s literacy skills and overall success!
Sonia Tavares
Community Literacy Coordinator
Columbia Basin alliance for Literacy - Trail & Area
This year’s theme was “Tuning into Music: Listen! Make! Move!” The theme highlights the vital role music plays in children’s lives and the importance of engaging in play-based literacy activities as a family.
CBAL communities across the Basin and Boundary celebrated all week with fun activities for the entire family. Music helped promote literacy skills while families had fun with song and rhyme.
Several communities enjoyed some musical fun with Mr. Mojo - a talented and entertaining children’s performer who sang and played music while families made instruments and danced along to the music. Some communities held Unplug and Play Challenges to reduce screen time.
Other events included family games, crafts, singing, drumming, puppet shows and “Book-nics.” Teddies slept overnight at the library, and families enjoyed story walks, face painting, spelling bees and sing and swim events. Preschoolers, parents, caregivers and staff enjoyed circle times, literacy-themed crafts, giveaways and nibbling on yummy snacks.
Families received handouts full of fun, music-based activities. Suggestions varied – from singing to babies and dancing with toddlers to making instruments with preschoolers.
These events didn’t just celebrate the benefits of literacy. They also brought awareness to the important role families play in life-long learning. Just spending 15 minutes a day reading, playing a game, singing, or following a recipe together can improve a child’s literacy skills and overall success!
Sonia Tavares
Community Literacy Coordinator
Columbia Basin alliance for Literacy - Trail & Area