The HKPR District Health Unit is saying that spending just fifteen minutes a day with your child can help improve their literacy skills. Family Literacy Day is coming up on January 27 and it’s a day to raise awareness across Canada about the importance of reading and other literacy-related activities as a family. Shelley Shaughnessy, Family Health Nurse, says practicing literacy skills not only gives you time to spend with your family, but also helps children develop strong literacy skills. In a release from the Health Unit, it states, “research shows that adults who encourage literacy skills in their children help lay the foundation for healthy growth and development, improved speech and language.”
Here are a few ways the Health Unit says you can encourage literacy skills:
- Reading a book at bedtime, visiting the library, playing a board game together, singing, writing to a relative or friend
- Get your child to help write your grocery list, read the labels on food, and get them to help you sort the groceries when you get home
For other ideas, you can visit ABC Literacy Canada by clicking here. Also, the District Preschool Speech and Language Program provide resources to families which support children’s speech and language skills. More information and resources can be found on the Health Unit’s website by clicking here. You can also call them at 1-866-888-4577 for more information.
The Haliburton County Public Library is celebrating Family Literacy Day on January 27 with stories, songs and games. It’s for pre-school to kindergarten aged kids, and they must be accompanied by an adult. You can go to the Minden branch at 10:30 a.m. or the Dysart branch at 1:30 p.m. For more information, you can visit their website by clicking here.