Family Literacy Day

Family Literacy Day is November 1st

Family Literacy Day is celebrated nationally on November 1st of every year to bring families together to read with kids. 

The Significance of Family Literacy Day

Family Literacy Day was created to spread awareness over the importance of family members to help teach young children how to read. The holiday highlights many programs that have been created to encourage parents and their children to read together. Many schools and classrooms also celebrate Family Literacy Day to help their students grow a love for reading.

Celebrating Family Literacy Day in the Classroom

There are many different ways that you, as a teacher, can encourage family literacy on this day. Here are some ideas:

• Allow parents or other loved ones of students to come into the classroom and read with them. Make sure you have more than enough books to go around!

• Set up group readings with the kids and their families. Allow for there to be discussions on the book once they are done reading.

• It is important to teach children that reading is not just for some boring assignment for school but can be a fun and relaxing pastime. Bring in comfy pillows and chairs for the kids to sit or lay on while they read.

• Once they are done reading the book, try to have the kids and their parents explain the book in their own words. Let them be as creative as they want!

• Celebrate reading! Reward children and/or families with special certificates, books, bookmarks etc. for finishing a book together.

Celebrating Family Literacy Day at Home

Many of the methods to encourage family literacy described above can also be done at home. However, it is important to remember that your child’s teacher can only do so much. It is your duty as a parent, guardian, older sibling etc. to encourage a child’s literacy as well. Here are some ways you can do that:

• Set aside time to read with your child books outside of school. Sometimes kids do not enjoy the books that their teacher assigns them and would rather be reading something else. Find books that your child would be interested in and read it with them. Make sure they finish that schoolbook too though!

• Take your child to the public library and/or your local bookstore. A child needs access to books if they are to improve their reading skills. Many of these places also hold special events for children and adults to encourage literacy, especially on Family Literacy Day.

• Read! If a child sees you reading by yourself, it will likely encourage them to read as a hobby as well. The more people reading in the house the better!

Family Literacy Day is an important holiday for recognizing the importance that a family member can have on a child’s literacy level. However, family literacy should not be celebrated solely on November 1st, but for the whole year. Make sure to encourage your children to read as they continue to grow older and develop. Literacy is an important life tool that will help them as they become adults.