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National Adult Literacy Database

Family Literacy Day

Family Literacy Day - Overview

Family Literacy Day is observed each year on January 27.

Spearheaded by ABC Life Literacy Canada in 1999, Family Literacy Day® provides time for Canadians to come together in their homes and in their communities to participate in literacy-building activities. It’s also a good opportunity for family members to have fun.

What is Family Literacy?

Family literacy development occurs in everyday life when parents, children, friends and extended family members use their literacy skills collectively in various actions and activities.

As the Canadian Literacy and Learning Network (CLLN) states in its Literacy and Families Fact Sheet, it is important to set a positive example and to demonstrate to children the meaningful uses of reading, writing, language and numeracy in accomplishing day-to-day tasks.

"If literacy has a valued place in the home, both children and adults are more likely to adopt and maintain good literacy habits."

Examples of family literacy activities include:

  • writing a note to a child’s teacher
  • sharing a bedtime story
  • making shopping lists
  • helping a child with his/her homework
  • playing word games such as Scrabble
  • using a recipe, and
  • encouraging children to read with their grandparents, parents, siblings and friends

Activities such as these form the foundation for an intergenerational transfer of knowledge.

Since 1996, NALD has been providing its users with the opportunity to promote their literacy activities in the NALD events section. NALD invites you to submit your events for Family Literacy Day.

Family Literacy links - Canada

Suggestions for family reading from the NALD digital library

ABC Life Literacy Canada. (2010). Family Literacy Day 2011: Play With Your Literacy Skills! 2010.
www.nald.ca/library/learning/abc_llc/adult_tipsheet_en/adult_tipsheet_en.pdf

ABC Life Literacy Canada. (2010) Family Literacy Day 2011: Have fun with words!
www.nald.ca/library/learning/abc_llc/kids_tipsheet_en/kids_tipsheet_en.pdf

ABC Life Literacy Canada. (2010) Family Literacy Day 2011: Event Planning Guide.
www.nald.ca/library/learning/abc_llc/fld_2011_complete_event/fld_2011_complete_event.pdf

Acosta, Joan. (2009) Families.
www.nald.ca/library/learning/best_reader/families/families.pdf

Boucher, Julie, and Michèle O'Connell. (2008) Let's sing together.
www.nald.ca/library/learning/sing/cover.htm

Carle, Eric, and NWT Literacy Council. (2009) The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
www.nald.ca/library/learning/nwt/chefs/caterpillar/caterpillar.pdf

Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, Department of Education, Home and School Federation of PEI, La Fédération des parents de l'Île-du-Prince-Édouard, PEI Literacy Alliance, and Provincial Library Service. (2006) How to Help Your Child Learn to Read and Love Reading.
www.nald.ca/library/learning/lrnread_en/cover.htm

Eaton, Sarah Elaine. 2010) 27 Ways to Celebrate Family Literacy Day. www.nald.ca/library/learning/eaton/27ways/27ways.pdf

Gardypie, Roger. (2010) Sharing Aboriginal Stories: Eagle Feathers.
www.nald.ca/library/learning/saln/feathers/feathers.pdf

Jaipaul, S. Celia.(2007) Playing With Words - Any Child Can.
www.nald.ca/library/learning/jaipaul/playing/cover.htm

Mike, Nikki. (2010)Sharing Aboriginal Stories: Aboriginal Moccasins.
www.nald.ca/library/learning/saln/moccasins/moccasins.pdf

Mulders, Donna, and Jill Vaydik. 1-2-3 Rhyme with Me - Facilitator’s Manual 2010.
www.nald.ca/library/learning/nwt/123rhyme/123rhyme_manual.pdf

Nonesuch, Kate. (2009) Family Math Groups 2009.
www.nald.ca/library/research/fammatgro/cover.htm

Kate Nonesuch. (2008) Family Math Fun!
www.nald.ca/library/learning/familymath/cover.htm

NWT Literacy Council. (2010) 1-2-3 Rhyme with Me: Rhyme and Song Booklet.
www.nald.ca/library/learning/nwt/123booklet/123booklet.pdf

NWT Literacy Council. (2010) Let's Play and Learn 2010.
www.nald.ca/library/learning/howtokit/playandlearn/playandlearn.pdf

NWT Literacy Council. (2009) Family Tutoring.
www.nald.ca/library/learning/nwt/family_tutoring/cover.htm

Saskatchewan Literacy Network. (2008) What Really Matters in Family Literacy?
www.nald.ca/library/research/whatmatt/cover.htm

Sauvé, Lorri. (2008) Get Set Learn - Everything You Need to Run a Family Literacy Program.
www.nald.ca/library/learning/gsl/curriculum/cover.htm

Sauvé, Lorri. (2008) Get Set Learn Parent Book.
www.nald.ca/library/learning/gsl/workbook/cover.htm

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