Burnaby Schools are celebrating Family Literacy Week this January, which is acknowledged in different ways throughout the province. The week was created to highlight the benefits of reading and writing skills for all family members.
As part of the week’s activities, many schools invited guest readers to share their favourite books with students. Local firefighters, SFU hockey players and Burnaby’s own school trustees are just some of those who came to our schools to share their love of reading. Global TV news Anchor Anne Drewa came to Stoney Creek Elementary, and former Whitecaps player and current Club Ambassador Carl Valentine read to students at Lakeview Elementary. Two Vancouver Canadians – Brayden Bouchey and Will McAffer – also came to Lakeview.
Bruce Cornell appreciates the way the students react to the readers. “The reading is great – that’s a given,” said the Lakeview Principal. “But for me it’s also the unintended consequences of what happens when someone reads to a child and gets them inspired and interested. After a player read last year, we had three children get involved in baseball because of it. Small things go a long way with children.”
A child’s literacy skills can be boosted with just 15 minutes of reading each day. Reading as a family or engaging in fun literacy activities also promotes a child’s confidence and strengthens connections.
