
Spending 15 minutes a day enjoying a literacy activity is a great way to reinforce a positive attitude around reading. The more frequently you read as a family, the more your children will gravitate naturally to reading!
Why not kick off a year-long reading habit beginning on Family Literacy Day on January 27th?
Family Literacy Day is an annual literacy event that’s taken place across Canada since 1999. Every year, thousands of schools and other literacy providers host family literacy events to bring parents and children together to encourage 15 minutes of literacy learning fun.
Our team of tutors is often asked by parents how they can help their kids love reading, so in preparation for this year’s Family Literacy Day, we’re sharing five engaging ways to show your children that learning to read is fun.
- Sign up for a library card and then get out the family calendar to plan regular visits to stock up on books that reflect your child’s current interests. Once your child signs up for a library card, they can even borrow books digitally!
- Reread your child’s favourite books. While you may get tired of reading the same books the repetitive reading helps children’s vocabulary grow and deepens their comprehension.
- Don’t stop reading together even when your child can read for themselves. They still benefit from the dedicated time together. Instead, choose a novel and take turns reading aloud a chapter.
- Storytelling is a fantastic way to build your child’s oral literacy. They rely on playing with tone and volume to help evoke the power of emotions. As children learn to tell stories, they’ll naturally bring what they learn to their reading and writing. Get cozy and sit around making up silly stories or retell old favourites!
- Over dinner or before bedtime, dedicate 15 minutes of family time to engage in conversation about everyone’s day. Use our list of 20 questions to ask your child about school as a starting point.
Now grab a book and get reading!
Related Articles View All
“Operation Cupcake”: A Sweet Introduction to Elementary Science, Math, and Engineering
Operation Cupcake: How Simple Machines Work is more than a story—it’s a STEM adventure starring two clever mice on a cupcake mission! Featuring simple machines, teamwork, and a sprinkle of humour, this Forest of Reading® nominee is the perfect introduction to science, math, and engineering. Don’t miss our exclusive interview with author and illustrator Bambi Edlund.
The Power of Visual Arts in Learning: Discovering the Magic of “Asha and the Toymaker”
In our latest Hooked on Books feature, we spotlight Asha and the Toymaker by Sakshi Mangal—a 2025 Blue Spruce Award nominee that celebrates the magic of creativity in childhood learning. Set in the colourful streets of Jodhpur, this visually stunning story inspires readers to explore the harmony between academic success and artistic expression.
2025 Forest of Reading Winners Announced: Canadian Students Choose Their Favourite Books
From May 13–15, 2025, the Forest of Reading Festival lit up Toronto’s Harbourfront Centre with thousands of students, educators, and families celebrating Canadian books. Hosted by the Ontario Library Association, the event featured author meet-and-greets, free books, and student-voted awards. In this blog, Teachers on Call shares festival highlights, interviews, and the full list of 2025 winners.