‘Tis the season for family learning
The holiday season is upon us, which means that kids and parents get a much-needed break from school and work. And while it’s a busy time of year and there’s always lots to do, families can keep learning in fun ways, which promotes family bonding while ensuring everyone’s mind is sharp come January.
With Family Literacy Day around the corner on January 27, 2012, ABC Life Literacy Canada offers these ideas to encourage family literacy over the holidays and throughout the winter months:
- Make a list, check it twice: As a family, write out your gift wish lists or come up with New Year’s resolutions.
- Read a classic: There are so many classic holiday stories to choose from! Each night before bed, curl up together as a family and read Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas or The Night Before Christmas.
- Holiday scavenger hunt: Create a list of holiday and winter-related items around your home. Give the list to your family and have them find all the items on the list.
- Bake holiday favourites: Following a recipe is a great way to practice reading, comprehension and math skills. Bake holiday cookies, cakes or a gingerbread house as a family!
- Sing holiday carols: Get together with your neighbours and go door-to-door singing carols. Singing encourages learning patterns of words, rhymes and rhythms, and is strongly connected to language skills.
Canadians can also get into the holiday spirit by giving the gift of literacy. Donations made to ABC Life Literacy Canada will help them provide adults and families with access to the tools, resources and programs they need to improve their literacy skills. Nine million Canadian adults struggle with low literacy.
For more information on Family Literacy Day, visit FamilyLiteracyDay.ca.
