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Saturday, January 26, 2013

Literacy Skills As Essential As Healthy Food

Having strong literacy skills is as essential to your well-being as eating healthy... that's according to Deanna Allen, executive director of Laubach Literacy NB.

Today is Family Literacy Day, a day to recognize and promote the importance of literacy for both parents and children. Allen tells CHSJ news parents should put an effort into helping kids improve their reading and writing in their everyday lives. She says there's many easy exercises parents can do, like asking their child to read recipes, labels on boxes and picking out places on a map.

Although some parents may not have a love of reading themselves, Allen says just like eating healthy foods it's essential and kids will imitate their parents. She says 60% of people over 16 in New Brunswick have literacy problems, which is a pattern that needs to change.

To get involved with Family Literacy Day in Saint John, you can head over to the West Branch Library in Lancaster Mall where the InterAction School of Performing Arts perform their vision of Charlotte's Web from 2:30-3:30. There will be crafts as well.