When is National Family Literacy Day?
November 1st is National Family Literacy Day.
What is National Family Literacy Day?
The Big Bad Wolf and the Cat in the Hat might just be the foundation for tomorrow’s great astronauts and engineers. Don’t believe me? Just ask the advocates for National Family Literacy Day, a day devoted to getting families to read together.
Research shows that reading to young children gives them early tools for understanding people and the world around them. They gain earlier access to vocabulary and language fundamentals, which prepares them to excel in school. A strong reading foundation is the key to success in other areas of study, even in math and science.
Also, while kids look to grown-up role models to learn empathy—the skill of understanding other people’s points of view—reading stories together also improves a child’s empathy. Children naturally ask why this character did this and that character did that. Those kinds of questions teach kids how to read people and how to analyze their own actions.
A child who loves to read and learn at an early age is better equipped to succeed in life. So give your child’s education a jumpstart. Read early, and read often!
Fun facts about National Family Literacy Day!
- Habitually reading to children earlier in life produces a greater impact on their development over the course of their lives.
- Reading together brings families closer together because reading out loud builds deeper connections.
- Reading to underprivileged children can help them break poverty cycles.
How to celebrate National Family Literacy Day:
Snuggle with your child and read a good book. Your local library will have stories fitted to your child’s reading level. Read some favorites, then read some new stories.
Sign up for a local literacy program, and volunteer your time and your reading voice.
What’s the hashtag for National Family Literacy Day?
Use #FamilyLiteracyDay on social media to show your support for family literacy.