Time Well Spent
Written by admin, January 25, 2018
January 25, 2018 – ‘Family Literacy Day’ Highlights Value of Talking, Playing or Reading with Children to Encourage Literacy
Spending a few minutes each day to improve a child’s literacy skills is a worthwhile investment of time that can pay off in life-long benefits for the entire family.
Peterborough Public Health is promoting that message in the lead up to Family Literacy Day (www.familyliteracyday.ca) on January 27. The awareness day promotes the importance of adults talking, listening, playing and reading with children to help develop strong literacy skills for life.
“Making literacy-related activities part of your daily routine on Family Literacy Day – and every day of the year – is key to improving your child’s speech and language skills,” says Leisa Baker, a Public Health Nurse with Peterborough Public Health. “All it takes is 15 minutes a day, and what you’re doing is not only spending quality time together as a family, you’re helping support strong literacy skills that are essential for children to reach their full potential in our changing and dynamic world.”
There are many fun ways that families can encourage literacy skills, without children even realizing it is learning, Baker adds. Reading a book at bedtime, visiting the library, playing a board game together, doing an alphabet scavenger hunt or telling knock-knock jokes while doing the dishes can all be options.
Another way for families to encourage literacy with children is to point out how reading and writing show up in everyday activities, such as reading traffic signs while driving or writing a grocery list at home.
Local families should also check with their local library to see if there are special events planned in their community or join the celebrations in downtown Peterborough at Peterborough Square, http://www.ptbocanada.com/upcoming-events/2017/1/28/peterborough-family-literacy-day
Literacy activities, resources, and speech and language milestones are also available at the KidTalk website (www.kidtalk.on.ca). The KidTalk website is part of the Preschool Speech and Language Services program that covers Haliburton County, Northumberland County, the City of Kawartha Lakes, and the County and City of Peterborough. If you have questions or would like a screening of your child’s speech and language skills, please call Peterborough Public Health’s Family HEALTHline at 705-743-1000.
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For further information, please contact:
Leisa Baker, R.N.
Public Health Nurse
705-743-1000, ext. 312