The province has proclaimed Family Literacy Week (Jan. 20 – 27) in British Columbia.
To celebrate Decoda Literacy Solutions with its partner organization will encourage families to get out and have fun together.
Family Literacy Week is an annual campaign that honours family literacy in BC. The week includes ABC Life Literacy Canada’s Family Literacy Day, recognized nationally each year on Jan. 27.
“When we teach our children to read and write we help unlock a world of endless opportunities for them to learn, grow and succeed,” said Education Minister Rob Fleming. “I encourage all British Columbians to join together with family and friends this Family Literacy Week and visit their local libraries to sign out a new book, or participate in one of the many exciting activities being offered in communities throughout the province.”
This year’s Family Literacy Week theme “Let’s Make It!” recognizes that when children have the time, tools and materials to make things, they learn to solve problems, be creative, communicate and much more.
“Making things can help build a range of skills, including literacy. And, when children make things with their parents and caregivers, families can have fun and learn together,” says Margaret Sutherland, Executive Director of Decoda Literacy Solutions, BC’s provincial literacy organization.
In addition, Decoda Literacy Solutions is celebrating family literacy with a province-wide online Photo Contest (#FamilyLiteracyWeek) to encourage people to share their family literacy week activities. Decoda has also developed free activity sheets for families and programs that work with parents and caregivers with young children.
To learn more about family literacy, get information on the Family Literacy Week Photo Contest, or to download activity sheets, go to decoda.ca.