Family Literacy Day takes place annually on Jan. 27, and across the country celebrations are held to encourage adults and children to read and learn together and to spend at least 15 minutes a day enjoying a learning activity as a family.
This year鈥檚 theme is Play for Literacy.
鈥淧laying games that encourage literacy and numeracy 鈥� such as board games, card games and word games 鈥� is a great way for adults and children to practise their literacy skills and have fun,鈥� says Mari Martin, library manager.
To celebrate Family Literacy Day, Martin invites the Comox Valley public to the Courtenay Library branch to participate in fun and engaging activities on Thursday, Jan. 27.
Between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., learning organizations are hosting activity and information tables in the library, and a variety of activities for all ages are also planned, as follows:
鈥� 10:15 to 10:45 a.m.: Baby Time 鈥� Strongstart facilitator Carlene Steeves leads Mother Goose activities for caregivers and babies
鈥� 10:30 to 11 a.m.: Kindergarten play for literacy event
鈥� 11 a.m.: Family Literacy Day Official Opening
鈥� 11:15 to noon: Captain Thunderpants 鈥� stories and songs for everyone
鈥� 1:30 to 2 p.m.: Stories for Wee Ones 鈥� Strongstart facilitator Maureen Wagner engages children in interactive storytelling session (ages zero to five)
鈥� 3:15 to 4 p.m.: Captain Thunderpants returns for more songs and stories
鈥� 4:15 to 5 p.m.: 4R鈥檚 Education Centre Book Walk 鈥� play a game and win a book
鈥� 5 to 7 p.m.: Board Games 鈥� duel it out against friends and family.
In the evening, North Island College English department, Comox Valley Literacy Now and Zocalo Caf茅 will host a Story Slam. Participants are invited to read their story in five minutes or less. Stories will be judged and there will be prizes for the top three authors.
Stories start at 7 p.m. Sign-up begins at 6:30 p.m.
Story Slam takes place at the Zocalo Caf茅, 208 Fifth St., Courtenay. For more about Story Slam 2011, call Steve Schoenhoff at 250-334-5094.
For more information about Community Family Literacy Day, check the Comox Valley Literacy Now website at www.cvliteracy.ca, or call the Courtenay branch library at 250-334-3369.
鈥� Courtenay Library
