Learning can be fun, and a full day of activities have been planned this Thursday to prove that.
This Thursday is Family Literacy Day, and a day filled with fun, free learning activities has been planned at the Courtenay branch of the Vancouver Island Regional Library to highlight the importance of reading and learning together.
“The reason why this day in particular is highlighted is because we really want to draw attention to the fact adults are children’s first teachers, and the more we engage them in learning activities — whether that’s by play, reading to them, getting them involved in very practical activities like setting the table — those sorts of activities embedded into our days help develop our children’s literacy skills,” said Danielle Hoogland, Comox Valley literacy co-ordinator.
This year, the Family Literacy Day activities in the Comox Valley will take place at the Courtenay library at 300 Sixth St. to emphasize the Play for Literacy theme but also to promote the activities that take place at the library and to showcase some of the services and organizations available in the community, like StrongStart and 4R’s Education Centre.
Family Literacy Day activities at the library take place from 10:15 a.m. to 7 p.m., and they are free.
Children’s entertainer Cptn Thndrpntz will be performing twice during the day.
The day starts with Baby Time from 10:15-10:45 a.m., as StrongStart facilitator Carlene Steeves leads Mother Goose activities for caregivers and babies.
This will be followed by a kindergarten play for literacy demonstration from 10:30-11 a.m.
The official opening will be at 11 a.m., and Cptn Thndrpntz will share stories, yarns and songs for everyone from 11:15 a.m. to noon.
StrongStart facilitator Maureen Wagner will engage children aged newborn to five in an interactive storytelling session from 1:30-2 p.m., and Cptn Thndrpntz returns for another show from 3:15-4 p.m.
People can win a book during the 4R’s Education Centre book walk from 4:15-5 p.m., and the library’s multi-purpose room will be open so people can play board games from 5-7 p.m.
Family Literacy Day will wrap up with a Story Slam at the Zocalo Café hosted by the North Island College English department.
Stories — which are read in five minutes or less — begin at 7 p.m., and those who want to read should register at 6:30 p.m.
There is a $100 prize for first place, $50 for second place and a Shane Koyczan book donated by Laughing Oyster Book Shop for third place.
Many free activities have also been planned throughout the community during this week and until Feb. 4.
The Courtenay Recreation Association is offering Youth Learn to Move Week at the LINC from 4-6 p.m. until Friday and Saturday from 7-9 p.m. Youth between the ages of 11 and 18 can participate in free introductory recreation classes, and healthy snacks are provided. Call 250-334-8138 ext. 222 for more information.
From now until Sunday, people can drop in to any Comox Valley library branch and visit a display of literacy games, literacy kits and books, and enter a draw for a literacy game.
Eric Carle will be sharing stories and fun for ages two to five today at the Courtenay library from 10:30-11 a.m. and Friday at the Cumberland library from 10:30-11 a.m.
There are also three workshops for women planned at the Women’s Resource Centre.
There will be a workshop abut buying a good used vehicle Friday from 1-3 p.m., a workshop about starting your own business Feb. 3 from 1-4 p.m. and a workshop on basic home repairs for women Feb. 4 from 1-3 p.m. Registration is required by calling 250-338-1133.
For more about literacy, see B10-11.
writer@comoxvalleyrecord.com