Family Literacy Day marks a decade of celebrating parents and children learning together.

Toronto, ON - ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation, Honda Canada and children’s writer Robert Munsch have been calling on Canadian families to read, write, surf and sing together to make family literacy a priority in their homes. The program continues to be important because low literacy is a daily challenge for four out of 10 adult Canadians, age 16 to 65 - representing 9 million Canadians.

Family Literacy Day (FLD) can be celebrated everyday - by simply setting aside 15 minutes of family time to read, play board games or even follow a recipe together. “We encourage all families to read and learn together,” says Margaret Eaton, President, ABC CANADA. “15 minutes a day goes a long way for the parent and the child. Those precious minutes can prepare children for challenges ahead, encourage a lifetime of reading enjoyment and can sharpen the adult’s literacy skills.”

There are thousands of FLD events taking place this week in schools, libraries, community centres and homes across Canada thanks to the support of numerous volunteers who contribute to the program’s success.

Today, Munsch will be reading at Willow Park Junior Public School in Toronto. The school includes a parenting centre, also referred to as a family literacy centre, where parents can sharpen their own skills while their children get a head start on learning. While the children write letters and postcards and create digital photo albums, their parents can take upgrading classes.

Robert Munsch couldn’t be more excited about the 10th Family Literacy Day, “I wish I could attend and read at every FLD event,” he says. “Nothing brings me as much joy as celebrating reading and learning together. Every year, I look forward to engaging families in storytelling and other activities that promote reading and writing, and my hope is that it will inspire families to adopt these activities in their own homes all year round.”

Parents and children alike can gain the following benefits from simple reading activities:

• Reading with your child at an early age can lead to independent reading by school age.

• Celebrating reading and books in your home has a positive impact on your child’s future academic skills.

• Children who see their parents engaging in learning are more likely to become lifelong learners.

ABC CANADA is grateful for the support from the numerous corporations and media partners that have helped raise awareness of family literacy issues in the last 10 years. The financial contribution made by founding sponsor Honda Canada is essential to FLD’s success because it helps to support local initiatives and national outreach, including today’s event. “Honda Canada is proud to support ABC CANADA’s work and hopes that FLD programming will be adopted by all communities across Canada,” says Jim Miller, senior vice-president, Honda Canada.

For more information on Family Literacy Day, including family literacy tips, activity ideas and event information, visit the ABC CANADA website: www.abc-canada.org.