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January 16, 2017 - 5:09 PM
Kamloops, BC - Literacy in Kamloops (LinK) and its partners have planned an annual, week-long celebration that promotes family literacy. Interior Savings Unplug and Play Family Literacy Week takes place January 21-28, 2017, in support of national Family Literacy Day®, January 27, 2017.
Family literacy is about parents and children learning together every day during routines that help them get things done, like sorting laundry, making a shopping list, or reading a bedtime story. By doing things together, parents strengthen their relationship with their children and promote lifelong learning.
Local organizations are hosting free activities throughout the week for families to enjoy together, including public skating, family floorball, Xploresportz activities, Lego Club, a mannequin challenge, bingo night, rhythm fun with drums, glow in the dark art, a seniors’ tea, and more. There are activities for all ages.
The goal is to raise awareness about the importance of family literacy and finding a healthy balance between sedentary screen time and active family time.
“Parents are their children’s first and most important teachers. Family Literacy programs encourage parents and other family members to be actively engaged in supporting each other’s learning. Just 15 minutes a day of reading or playing a game together can make a huge difference in a child’s development of literacy skills,” says Fiona Clare, Literacy Outreach Coordinator.
As presenting sponsor, Interior Savings is challenging everyone in the community to do one thing with their family or friends that they haven’t done before or haven’t done in a long time. It could be participating in a free community event, building a snow fort, or maybe just cooking dinner together as a family.
“The point is not that technology is bad, but that we need to be mindful of balance,” says Kathy Conway, CEO of Interior Savings. “We use technology to improve health, quality of life and to free up time. But many of us are spending that new found time and energy staring at screens rather than connecting with others or with nature. For us to be healthy, for our community to be healthy, we need balance.”
More than 5,000 students will try to reduce their recreational screen-time by taking the Interior Savings Unplug and Play School Challenge. Youth and adults are encouraged to try the digital detox too.
Don’t miss out on these key events happening during Literacy Week:
The week starts off with ABC Family Literacy Day, hosted by the partners of Kamloops Early Language and Literacy Initiative (KELLI) at the Henry Grube Education Centre on Saturday, January 21, 2017, 9:00 am-12.30 pm. This year, families will enjoy the free “Under the Sea” themed activities, fun, and stories. Each child receives a new-to-them book from the Heap the Honda Children’s Book Drive.
On January 26, 2017, 6.30 pm-8.00 pm, speaker Lenore Skenazy (New York blogger, columnist, author, reality show host, and founder of Free Range Kids) talks about giving our kids “freedom, smarts and independence” without going nuts with WORRY, in the Parkside Lounge at the Sandman Centre. She is also presenting at 12.30 pm at the Henry Grube Education Centre. Register at Eventbrite.ca. Admission is by donation to Loonies for Literacy.
For a full schedule of events please check out www.literacyinkamloops.ca or pick up a Schedule of Events at any Interior Savings branch in Kamloops.
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