November is Family Literacy Month. Started in 1994, the celebration seeks to spread awareness and promote family literacy by encouraging parents and caregivers to read to their children. Family literacy activities help parents improve their literacy and parenting skills and support early childhood education. When you read to your children during the early years, they are more likely to become good readers in adulthood. When children see the adults in the house reading, it inspires them to read as well.
It is also Library and Informational Services Month. What a perfect time to visit the local library with the family. A library is the one place where you have access to endless information for free. In addition to books, libraries also offer many programs. Join some of those programs, such as workshops, movie nights, and reading groups to add to the fun. Did you know that studies show reading for just six minutes can reduce stress levels by up to 68%? Books are a great tool to escape from everyday worries and stress. iSOSY’s ACRES resource, Unit 3, contains lessons for reading for fun and understanding.
The Read-Write-Think website has some great ideas for activities supporting Family Literacy Month. Loyola University also provides 10 ways to celebrate and support family literacy.
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