Family Literacy Day: Play!

On January 27, 2011 Canadian families from coast to coast will Play for Literacy in support of Family Literacy Day which encourages parents and children to spend at least 15 minutes enjoying a learning activity every day. The Sylvan Lake Municipal Library will be participating in Play! for Literacy and invites families to come out and Play! at the Library on Thursday the 27^th of January from 1-2 pm as we support Family Literacy Day.

The Sylvan Lake Library is planning a plethora of board games, card games, puzzles, guest storytellers, and refreshments from 1-2 pm on Thursday January 27^th. We are also hosting a prize draw for Literacy Bingo, courtesy of The Henday Association. Come in as soon as possible to get your bingo card and complete the activities so you’re eligible for the prize draw.

Play for Literacy can include all types of play that encourages literacy and numeracy development as well as comprehension skills, such as board games, card games and imaginative self-created activities and games. Games, and the carefree act of playing, provide a fun outlet in which individuals of all ages can engage in activities that inherently provide new learning or opportunities to improve one's reading, writing, math and comprehension skills.

"Playing games not only has the ability to bring people together, it also provides a fun environment in which learning takes place," explains Margaret Eaton, ABC Life Literacy Canada President. "Card games help improve numeracy skills while board games, and even word association games, sharpen spelling, reading and comprehension skills. The reality that learning can take place while laughing and being engaged together as family is important to remember as we continue to be challenged in our day-to-day lives."

 Family Literacy Day, held annually on January 27, was developed by ABC Life Literacy Canada (formerly ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation) in 1999 to celebrate adults and children reading and learning together, and to encourage Canadian families to spend at least 15 minutes a day enjoying a learning activity together. Visit FamilyLiteracyDay.ca to find a local event or to access resources to create your own celebration.