Sunday, January 30, 2011

Kids play for literacy

Kids play for literacy

Kids play for literacy

Posted: 29 Jan 2011 10:54 AM PST

WINDSOR, Ont. -- Wendy Samuel, a mother of three, wasn't even aware of the occasion but as she passed the Family Literacy Day event at Devonshire Mall Friday, she was ready to join the celebration.

"I just happened to be passing by when I saw the people saying come and sit down," she said, referring to the dozens of children, parents and educators partaking in Play for Literacy Day festivities at the mall. "I actually went back home and picked up the kids and came back. I think things like this are important. I'm a big advocate for early childhood literacy."

Representatives from nine community partners including the local school boards, the Essex County Library and the St. Mary's Family Learning Centre joined area musicians, celebrities and puppeteers to lead the kids in reading stories and playing games, all designed to encourage them to pick up a book at an early age.

"We're here to promote emergent literacy," said Terri Whitfield, who chairs the Windsor chapter of the Emergent Literacy Network. "To develop early language and literacy skills, children need to be exposed to reading and writing and introduced to books at an early age."

She said preschool years are the time to start that introduction, from birth through six years of age, beginning at home and continuing through literacy and child care centres, such as the St. Mary's Family Learning Centre and the neighbourhood library.

"Children who get this exposure enter school ready to read and write," she said. "We talk to families all the time about ways to encourage early literacy skills. Parents are the first teachers and it's important to give them the tools and encouragement to get them started."

She said there are several ways to become involved, such as taking your children to story time at the library or through daycare centres.

"In Canada, one in four children still enters school behind their peers," said Whitfield. "Forty two per cent of Canadians do not have the necessary literacy skills to succeed. We want to change that. In the first three years of life a child will learn more than an adult can in 10 years. We need to get the message out."

She said that is why events like Friday's are important.

Sharon O'Hagan-Wong, superintendent with the Windsor Essex Catholic District School Board, said there are Ontario Early Learning Centres throughout the area including six with her board, at St. Pius X, Sacred Heart, Holy Name, St. Alexander and H.J. Lassaline schools.

© Copyright (c) The Windsor Star

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