Family Literacy Day was established to encourage parents to spend a precious 15 minutes each day reading to their children. It has grown into a Canada-wide celebration of reading.
Ways to celebrate literacy
Each year, thousands of reading-related events and activities are organized by libraries, schools, and community groups. These events range from fundraisers, book drives, and children’s reading circles, to literacy-themed games and contests. They are a great way to get out into your community and share a love of reading.
Why not celebrate literacy with your family at home? Simply set aside 15 minutes today to read with your child, write a story or a letter, or play a game together. Better yet, make a commitment to yourself and your family to do this every day.
Why is reading important?
Reading opens up a world of possibilities. Reading is necessary in modern society. Children who are more exposed to reading material tend to be the ones who read well in school. They often read earlier than other children. In contrast, children who receive less practice in reading tend to lag behind in their reading skills.
Children who enter school with limited reading-related skills have a higher risk of needing special education later on. Of all the learning disabilities, reading disability is the most common. At least one in five children have difficulty with reading. In fourth grade, 37% of students read below a basic proficiency level, and only 31% are able to draw meaning from what they read. Most children with a reading disability require an intervention at school or through the help of tutors to help them grasp the skills of decoding (phonics), reading fluently, and/or understanding what they read.
Whether your child has a reading disability or is a strong reader, reading with him every day is very important. We owe it to our children to give them every opportunity to learn to read.
Sherene Chen-See
Medical writer/editor
AboutKidsHealth