Christine Vopel
Sooke News Mirror
Who doesn’t love snuggling up with family or friends and reading a good book out loud? Reading can encourage better academic success, improved life skills and promote self esteem says Adrienne Wass, manager of the Sooke Library Branch.
This year come celebrate Family Literacy Day on Friday, Jan. 27. Starting January 22, anyone can pick up a Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL) passport and complete it for a chance to win a Robert Munsch book prize.
A day dedicated to literacy gives children and adults the chance to explore what the library has to offer and discover new stories, activities and ideas. Finding the time to read together with your child, even for just 15 minutes a day can be a difficult task given everyone’s busy schedules. Performing daily reading and writing activities, however can really benefit both children and adults Wass said.
“If parents don’t have the time to read to their children they can involve their kids in literacy games in other ways like sharing the shopping list or having them count out the money for the purchase.”
Family Literacy Day provides a moment for Canadians to come together in their home, at work, and in their communities to practice literacy-building skills and to have fun, explains Wass.
“Learning happens everywhere and it’s easy to make it part of your life. It’s huge if parents can read with enthusiasm.”
The passport can be completed as a family, as an individual or as a group.
Participants who complete at least five activities on their passports and submit it to their local VIRL branch by closing on January 28 will be entered to win.
“Some people assume to come into the library they have to be fully literate. They do not have to be. This event is also for all ages, it’s a family success,” said Wass.
Established in 1999 by ABC Life Literacy Canada, this nation-wide event encourages families to participate together in fun learning activities designed to enhance reading and writing skills for individuals of all ages explains Wass.
On January 27, the Sooke Library Branch will host a family story-time celebrating “Discovery and Exploration” from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., where Wass will read to children incorporating an interactive component to the program. “I’m hoping the event is well attended. My goal is to get the parents and the children participating,” she said.
For more information or to register, call 250-642-3022.
The library is located on 2065 Anna Marie Road.
For more information on Family Literacy Day, including tips, activities and events, visit http://www.FamilyLiteracyDay.ca.