ABC Life Literacy Canada

Municipalities, provinces across Canada recognize importance of family literacy, proclaim day

(Toronto, ON - January 14) – Family Literacy Day is a national event celebrated annually for the last 13 years to increase public awareness of the importance of adults and their children enjoying learning activities together on a regular basis. While 42 per cent of working age Canadians face literacy challenges on a daily basis, Family Literacy Day offers governments the chance to positively focus on supporting and promoting literacy campaigns.

“We are encouraging all municipalities, provinces and federal officials to proclaim January 27 as Family Literacy Day to underscore their commitment to the literacy cause,” says Margaret Eaton, President of ABC Life Literacy Canada. “Literacy affects all aspects of people’s lives, so by encouraging families to practice literacy on a daily basis, both child and adult are better prepared to succeed in a world of increasing literacy challenges at home, at work and in the community.”

Many towns, cities and provinces, from Nova Scotia to Vancouver, have already proclaimed the day, and several government officials are also getting involved by attending local events to create awareness and demonstrate support for literacy, and to encourage Canadians develop stronger literacy skills and find a love for lifelong learning.

The official Family Literacy Day 2011 theme is Play for Literacy, which can include all types of play that encourages literacy and numeracy development as well as comprehension skills, such as board games, card games and imaginative self-created activities and games. Games, and the carefree act of playing, provide a fun outlet in which individuals of all ages can engage in activities that inherently provide new learning or opportunities to improve one’s reading, writing, math and comprehension skills.

For more information, please visit FamilyLiteracyDay.ca.