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Parents and children of all ages are encouraged to spend time learning and reading together on Family Literacy Day and throughout the year, says Education and Early Childhood Development Minister, Alan McIsaac.

“Reading with your children is a fun and rewarding way to spend time together as a family and it encourages lifelong learning,” said Minister McIsaac. “The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development is constantly reviewing and updating the curriculum in Island schools and investing in new initiatives to promote literacy. Our main objective is to ensure our students have access to the information and tools they need to succeed.”

Minister McIsaac has proclaimed January 27, 2012 as Family Literacy Day in Prince Edward Island. The national celebration takes place annually to encourage families to participate in literacy activities together. Canadians are also being encouraged to spend at least 15 minutes participating in a fun learning activity every day.

The theme for 2012 is Take the Learning Journey. Board games, card games and word games are fun ways for parents and children to brush up on literacy and numeracy skills. By playing word games and reading with your children you improve listening, vocabulary and language skills, as well as develop creativity and imagination.

“The Prince Edward Island Public Library Service plays an important role in promoting family literacy all year long through its collection, services and programs,” said Tourism and Culture Minister Robert Henderson. “Library branches in communities across the province offer a variety of programs for children and adults that make learning both informative and fun.”

There are many different ways that you can incorporate family literacy into your daily routine. These include:

• reading a book together;

• playing word, number or board games;

• writing an email to a relative;

• singing your favourite songs;

• surfing the Internet for fun family-friendly sites;

• making a shopping list;

• picking a recipe from a cookbook and following it together; and

• going for a walk as a family and reading street signs.

For more details on Family Literacy activities check out the PEI Literacy Alliance Website at www.pei.literacy.ca or the national website at www.abclifeliteracy.ca. For more information on the PEI Public Library Service, visit www.library.pe.ca.