The Jake Epp Public Library in Steinbach is celebrating Family Literacy Day with many activity stations set up throughout the library encouraging literacy.

Program Coordinator Madison Friesen says the fun for all ages begins at 6:30. “This year we'll have a story stack station, a snack station, a craft station, a puppet theatre, and a Lego station. So we'll have all of these stations set up so families can come enjoy them together.”

Friesen says literacy is important and used in every area of our lives. “You need to be able to read and write in order to function in society, to get a job, to do well in school, and for enjoyment purposes.”

She says literacy can start in the womb during pregnancy, by reading to your child because they can already hear your voice. To encourage literacy in the home, Friesen says if your child likes to watch movies, you can read a book with your child first, and as a reward watch the movie after.

Friesen notes, getting your child to read for 20 minutes every day, once they've had their snack after school, and then again at bedtime will make a big difference in their vocabulary and understanding of the English language. “Another benefit to reading is, it broadens their imagination. If you read fantasy or magic books, kids can understand they are only limited by their imagination. If you read non-fiction kids can learn all about facts and it's really interesting.”

Friesen adds, they have books and activities in the library for children at all reading levels, and programs to help encourage literacy.