Drumheller Family Literacy is asking parents in the valley to take some time on Saturday, January 28 to participate in Family Literacy Day, a nationwide initiative to raise awareness of the importance of reading.
    Literacy in Canada is generally assumed to be at or near 100 per cent. However, there are studies that show about one quarter of Canadians would not be able to completely read this article.
    Those who are in this minority, especially those well into adulthood have great difficulty doing basic tasks, like reading warning signs or medical instructions.
    “They still, in this day and age, can slip through the cracks and you wouldn’t know they couldn’t read until push came to shove. They’ve learned to adapt and cover very well,” said Louise Henrickson, coordinator for Drumheller Family Literacy.
    Family Literacy Day began on January 28, 1999, and has been held on the same day every year since. The goal of the annual event is to impress upon Canadians the importance of reading and engaging in literacy related activities as a family.
    It is the belief of Drumheller Family Literacy that the best time to begin learning is with a baby and that parents are the most valuable means to teach these essential skills. Even reading to a child for 15 minutes a day can dramatically improve a child’s literacy skills.
    “We’ve even said to start at zero, reading to a baby,” said Henrickson.
    Recent research into child development has suggested that to be among the best readers by the age of eight, children must hear at least 1000 stories by kindergarten and memorize between four to eight (some research suggests even more) nursery rhymes, songs, or prayers by the time they are four.
    Drumheller Family Literacy will be celebrating Family Literacy Day on Saturday, January 28, starting at 2 p.m. in the Drumheller Public Library. The theme this year is “Journey to Learning.”
    Kids will make their own version of the popular Cat in the Hat game I Can Do That!. Snacks and reading stories will follow.
    “Literacy needs to be fun and engaging for the little guys to learn,” said Henrickson. The philosophy for family literacy is to make the learning process enjoyable for everyone to promote lifelong literacy.
    Parents are encouraged to register by Wednesday, January 25 to ensure there are enough copies of I Can Do That! for everyone to take home. To register, parents are asked to call 403-823-7969 or 403-823-1660.