What is a Family Literacy Kit?

Family Literacy Kits have been developed for families with children under 6 years who have English as their second language. These kits are intended to provide opportunities for parents to read to their children in their first language by using dual-language books (books with text written both in English and another language). Fun activities and games accompany the books. Parents can extend themes in the books by using the games and activities to develop vocabulary skills, colour identification, number concepts and much more.
These kits are available in 11 different languages as well as English.

The Literacy Kits are available in the following languages:

Arabic Bengali English French Hungarian

Kurdish Albanian Somolian Chinese

Spanish Portuguese Hindi Polish

They can be borrowed through the Toy Lending Library Tuesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Activity Ideas

Family Literacy Kits provide families with an opportunity to share in the development of their child's language and reading skills. Each kit contains books, games, puzzles and felt board pieces that give an opportunity to develop a child's vocabulary, number concepts, letter recognition and social skills. But most importantly, an opportunity to spend quality time with one's child(ren).

Activity Ideas and Stimulating Questions to Use with Your Child:

1. Point out themes that are similar in books and games. "What animal (emotion, colour, shape, etc.) Do you see in both the book and the game?
2. Have your child match items together, for example; a cow shape, to a picture of a cow in a book, or an emotion card to that same emotion in a book.
3. Look for opportunities to identify and match colours.
4. When working with games, specifically matching games be sure to label the items on the cards, or the concepts being taught (big/small, on/under).
5. Ask your child what he/she thinks is the answer versus telling them.
6. Make Mistakes. When it is your turn to match or label items, make some mistakes and see if your child notices. Have them tell you why it is wrong.
7. If working with a kit that has animals, have your child make the sounds associated with the animals. This could also apply to the emotions kits. Often times there are sounds associated with feelings e.g. Happy - Laughing or Sad - Crying.
8. Having your child count items in the kit. Counting the number of pieces in a puzzle, or the number of pages in a book helps children to understand the concrete application of numbers.
9. Involve all members of the family. The books and activities can be used in different ways by children of different ages. Encourage new ideas.
10. Have FUN with your child!