Celebrate Family Literacy Day: 3 easy ways to raise a reader

23 January 2024 - by Cheryl - YMCA Child Care

With updates from Tia Morrison on January 26, 2024

The importance of early literacy

A group of children listen to an educator read a book to them in a classroom. Family Literacy Day is a national awareness initiative held every January 27. ABC Life Literacy Canada created it to highlight the importance of reading and engaging in other literacy activities as a family.

Many believe children learn to read and write in kindergarten or Grade 1. But with 90% of children’s critical brain development occurring by age five, reading specialists and educators report that the development of literacy skills begins years before children start school.

Children exposed to literacy activities like reading, singing, and storytelling from a young age have larger vocabularies, are better problem solvers, and are more successful in school.

Here are three easy ways to get your children excited about learning and reading.

Tip #1: Turn everyday activities into learning experiences

All it takes is 15 minutes of daily literacy activities to improve your child’s literacy skills. For example, read a quick book about pizza, then make one together in the kitchen while you talk about what you read. This helps build your child’s comprehension skills — and gets dinner made —along with their fine motor and cooking skills!

A small yellow and blue picture book called Pizza Party is on a table in a YMCA Child Care centre classroom.

A child uses a rolling pin to roll pizza dough during a cooking activity in a YMCA Child Care classroom.

Tip #2: Read together as a family

A board book called Trucks by Priddy Books with a skid-steer loader truck on the green cover is on top of a bookshelf in a YMCA Child Care centre. Reading stimulates a child's imagination. It expands their vocabulary and their understanding of the world. Whether a picture book or a short story, reading can be a conversation starter between you and your child. Talk about what you read and read about many different things.

A great place to get age-appropriate books is at your local public library. They also have family storytime programs and scheduled literacy activities for children of all ages.

Close-up of a wooden bookshelf filled with picture books at a YMCA Child Care centre.

Tip #3: Visit your local EarlyON Child and Family Centre

EarlyON Child and Family Centres offer free child development programs for children up to age six and their parents or caregivers.

From Musical Babies to Kids in the Kitchen, these play-based programs help children develop literacy, social, play, and creative skills.

A child sits on a carpet in front of a bookshelf in a YMCA Child Care classroom, reading a picture book.

Check out the fun and free programs offered at EarlyON Child and Family Centres.

Read Essential Worker ABCs!

Read YMCA Educator Michele Bugeja's children's book called Essential Workers ABCs. This book is a great way for your child to understand the importance of essential workers and community members. Learn more in our blog post about the book.

Get your copy of Essential Workers ABC! All proceeds donated to YMCA. Image: Graphic of a book cover with colourful characters on a grey background.

There are easy ways to improve your child’s love for literacy learning, from singing to reading a book about pizza and then making it for dinner tonight. In just 15 minutes a day, you’ll see their skills start to skyrocket. Want more ideas? ABC Life Literacy Canada offers suggestions on how to develop literacy skills in a fun and engaging way at home.