Celebrate your heritage with Family Literacy Day on January 27

On January 27, 2023, families, libraries and literacy groups across the country will once again celebrate Family Literacy Day, an annual initiative that aims to encourage reading and engaging in other literacy-related activities as a family.

This year’s theme is “Celebrate your heritage”, which encourages families to take time to explore and learn about their heritage together. Researching your heritage as a family encourages the development of many literacy skills, such as reading, comprehension and digital skills. It also offers opportunities to improve cognition and self-esteem. Reminiscing and exploring the past can have deep psychological benefits for older people, giving them a chance to reconnect with their own memories while also learning new things about family members they never knew. Some studies have shown that reminiscing can actually lower a person’s blood pressure and heart rate.

“Learning as a family not only helps to build strong literacy skills for both adults and children, but it also strengthens family bonds and ties,” says Alison Howard, Executive Director of ABC Life Literacy Canada. “Researching genealogy makes for a great family activity, involving siblings, children and grandchildren. It can bring family members together around a shared interest and also inspire intergenerational storytelling and sharing.”

Family Literacy Day was started in 1999 by ABC Life Literacy Canada. Each year it is celebrated across the country by groups who host events that include fun-filled learning activities.

Award-winning Canadian author and modeling clay illustrator Barbara Reid is once again the Honorary Chair of Family Literacy Day. Reid will be hosting a virtual event for families across the country that will include a demonstration on how to use clay to create a picture.

“I’m delighted to be partnering with ABC Life Literacy Canada again to talk about the importance of family literacy,” says Reid. “I am particularly excited about this year’s Family Literacy Day theme because it truly offers a great opportunity for families to come together and learn something that is of interest to everyone.”

For those who want to take part in Family Literacy Day, simply visit FamilyLiteracyDay.ca to access free learning activities and materials, or to find a local event.