Family Literacy Week will begin in Prince Albert with a free public event at Gateway Mall aimed at helping families discover how everyday activities can support learning at home.
The Prince Albert Literacy Network will host the Family Literacy Week Kick Off Event on Saturday, Jan. 24, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The drop-in event is open to all families and focuses on this year’s national theme, Make Mealtime Family Learning Time.
“Family Literacy Week or Family Literacy Day is celebrated across Canada, and organizations come together to celebrate families learning and growing together as one unit,” Family Literacy Network’s Family Literacy Coordinator Kara Thorpe said.
Gateway Mall was selected as the location both for practical reasons and accessibility. Thorpe said the network’s office is located in the mall, and the space allows families to move through different activities while remaining in a familiar public setting.
“It is a great public space, and the mall has been very gracious in giving us access to two different areas,” she said. “Families will do activities at one end, walk through the mall for a story walk, and then finish at the other end.”
Thorpe added that several community partners involved in family services are also located at Gateway Mall, making it a logical and inclusive location.
Between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., families will take part in activities designed to connect literacy with everyday life, especially around food and mealtimes. Activities include Play Doh stations where children practice measuring and a mock store where kids can choose snacks.
“It’s a variety of activities, all leaning towards kind of cooking together as a family using our fine motor skills,” Thorpe said. “There will be measuring, reading, and even a bit of math, a little bit of everything kind of coming together in one spot.”
A story walk will run through the mall, combining movement with reading, while community partners such as Kids First and the Family Resource Centre will provide take-home kits designed to support learning at home. One kit includes materials to make a homemade chili, encouraging families to cook and talk together.
Thorpe said literacy extends far beyond books and worksheets.
“Literacy is not just books and math,” she said. “It includes learning to take turns, control emotions, and work together. Those are skills that help prepare children for school and everyday life.”
The event is designed primarily for children from birth to about age 10, though all families are welcome. Thorpe said even those who can only stop briefly are encouraged to attend.
“All families are welcome to come; it is free, everything will be free,” Thorpe said. “Even if somebody just pops by, doesn’t have a chance to do all the activities, they can still take the kit and take it home with them.”
Keeping the event free was a priority for the network. Thorpe said cost can be a barrier for many families.
“We know families are struggling right now, and being able to do something meaningful together that is free is really important,” she said.
Each family will receive a bag filled with items such as Play Doh, crayons, dice, cards, simple games, and snacks. Partner organizations will add additional materials, giving families tools they can continue using long after the event.
Thorpe said the network hopes families leave feeling confident.
“We want families to know they are already doing their best,” she said. “Everyday activities can help children learn and grow, and learning together does not need to be complicated.”
No registration is required, and families are encouraged to simply show up and enjoy time together.
arjun.pillai@paherald.sk.ca
