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Celebrate Family Literacy Day!

Family surrounding with letters

Jan 27, 2025

Today, January 27, marks Family Literacy Day—a national initiative established by ABC Life Literacy Canada in 1999 to highlight the importance of reading and participating in literacy-related activities as a family. 

Take this opportunity to enjoy a family reading session! Literacy is a cornerstone of a child’s development. Reading together daily is not only an enjoyable family activity but also a transformative experience. It strengthens family bonds, builds essential reading and writing skills, and sets the foundation for lifelong learning success. 

How Ottawa Public Library (OPL) Supports Children’s Literacy 

Promoting literacy is at the heart of Ottawa Public Library’s mission. OPL provides a wide range of resources, programs, and services to foster a love of reading in children. 

  • Join Literacy Programs: Participate in free programs like Family Storytime, Read Along, or March Break activities, all designed to ignite a passion for reading in children of all ages. 

  • Make Library Visits Fun: Visit OPL branches with your child, let them pick out their own books, and attend seasonal events like the Summer Reading Club or holiday-themed activities. 

  • Discover E-Books and Audiobooks: Use your OPL card to borrow e-books and audiobooks via OverDrive or the Libby app. Audiobooks are a great way to improve vocabulary, model fluent reading, and explore the rhythm of stories. 

  • Explore Multilingual Collections: OPL offers children’s books in various languages, making it an excellent resource for bilingual families or those wishing to encourage literacy in multiple languages. 

Signs Your Child May Be Struggling with Reading 

  • Avoidance or Frustration: Hesitation to pick up a book or frequent frustration during reading sessions may indicate a need for extra support. 

  • Difficulty Understanding the Story: If your child can read words but struggles to comprehend the overall meaning, it could point to challenges with comprehension. 

  • Guessing Instead of Decoding: Consistently guessing words instead of sounding them out may reveal gaps in phonics skills. 

Creative Ways to Make Reading Part of Everyday Life 

If your child finds reading challenging, remember that it’s a common hurdle, and there’s no need to feel guilty. Here are some fun ways to help: 

  • Start or End the Day with a Book: Let your child pick books that spark their interest. 

  • Play Word Games: Encourage them to read road signs, menus, or shopping lists—anything that shows how reading connects to real life. 

  • Celebrate Successes: Mark milestones like finishing a book or learning a new word with stickers, small rewards, or lots of praise. 

It’s never too late to nurture a love for reading. Start today! Research shows that families who read together grow and succeed together. 

Family Literacy Day // La Journée de l’alphabétisation familiale
by Collections_OPLBPO

January 27th is Family Literacy Day. Foster a love of reading in your whole family! // Le 27 janvier est la Journée de l'alphabétisation familiale. Encouragez le goût de la lecture dans toute la famille!