The Clearwater and Area Literacy Initiative is joining Decoda Literacy Solutions, B.C.’s provincial literacy organization, to raise awareness of the importance of engaging in literacy activities as a family.
In Clearwater, Family Literacy Week will be celebrated Jan. 24 – 30 with “Unplug and Play” week.
The purpose of “Unplug and Play” week is to encourage families and individuals to reduce their screen time and interact just a little more with each other and friends.
In Clearwater there will be many fun activities provided by our community partners that promote the importance of play and learning.
Literacy skills are important to all British Columbians. Families that engage in play-based literacy activities from an early age see positive effects on both children and parents/caregivers.
Parents and caregivers are their children’s first and most important teachers. Recent studies show that engaging in informal family learning in the home and in the community has a direct positive impact on children and parents. These activities help create healthy relationships and help prepare children to enter school.
There will be activities for all ages during Family Literacy week, which will include a free sound literacy workshop provided by North Thompson Music Guild. This workshop, facilitated by Long and McQuade, is for individuals interested in learning about sound production for music concerts and public performances.
There also will be free cross-country skiing at the Candle Creek Ski Trails, sponsored by the Wells Gray Outdoors Club on Saturday, Jan. 30, an adult colouring contest, and a free sushi-making workshop sponsored by the Food Security Program.
Students at Raft River Elementary will participate in a whole week of fun literacy based activities – for example, Reading Rocks – an activity that invites students to dress up as their favorite character or author.
There will be special activities throughout the week provided by Success by 6 and Yellowhead Community Services at the Blue River Playgroup, Clearwater Preschool and Building Blocks Daycare.
All participants in Family Literacy Week activities are invited to enter their names in a draw for some great prizes! You can enter by simply “signing in” at your event or by entering your name in the draw barrel at each activity you participate in during the week.
Raft River Elementary students can enter by dropping off their Unplug and Play logs at the school’s main office by 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 26.
For more information, please contact Kerry Milner Cairns, literacy outreach coordinator, Clearwater and area, kerry.c@yellowheadcs.ca, 250-674-3530.