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Celebrating Reading Month with Gratitude

March 3, 2021 by Creating Together

Literacy is one of Creating Together’s big focus points. We understand how early exposure to books and stories has lasting impacts for our communities.

Benefits of Reading

Did you know that early literacy begins before a child can read? According to research by the Canadian Language and Literacy Research Network, children who are successful readers have usually engaged in many early language and literacy activities before starting school. In fact, hearing and engaging with books read aloud to them is one of the most important activities for infants, toddlers, and pre-school children.

Until the last 30 years, children were seen as non-readers until they entered school. Now, children’s attempts to read and write before they reach school age are seen as important steps in developing reading and writing abilities. For more information about the benefits of early reading and some tips to engage young readers, check out For the Love of Reading.

Celebrating National Reading Month with Gratitude

March is National Reading Month, a month to celebrate reading, for all ages! And during this month, we would like to join us in an expression of gratitude to a very special program and a very special person, who have been instrumental in ensuring our families have access to reading material.

The Children’s Book Bank was founded by a small group of dedicated individuals who saw the importance of ensuring that all children have access to books. Since 2008, the Book Bank has grown and reached more families as a result of the generosity of individuals, corporations and foundations who have donated funds, books and their time. Creating Together families have benefitted greatly from these donations of books, and would like to give a shout out to The Children’s Book Bank and their supporters for their generosity and commitment to their mission. For more information about their programs, or how to donate, read more HERE.

The Outreach Coordinator of the Children’s Book Bank also deserves special thanks. Dave Page has been our main contact at the Children’s Book Bank, and has attended Creating Together to read stories to the children, while also ensuring Creating Together receives an abundance of books to give to our families. When our families come to the Centre to pick up their craft supplies and food donations, they are also able to pick up some free books for their children thanks to Dave and the Children’s Book Bank. Dave has been working with children’s books and family literacy programs in Toronto for 25 years, and his passion for early literacy is contagious. Please join us in thanking Dave for his work, his passion, and his commitment to young readers.

From our community to yours,

thank you Dave and

the Children’s Book Bank

for all you do!

Filed Under: Literacy Tagged With: early literacy, Gratitude, literacy program

The Benefits of Reading to Your Child

March 19, 2019 by Creating Together

Did you know that the Literacy Area at Creating Together holds incredible opportunities for communication, language, literacy, and social skills? Reading aloud here not only improves expressive language and vocabulary, but also social skills such as imitation, turn taking, social interest, and the ability to maintain connection across space.

On March 11 & 15, Creating Together hosted “Benefits of Literacy” information sessions, to share with parents and caregivers why reading to your child is such an important part of childhood development. Read below to learn what reading aloud to your child for 15 minutes per day will bring, while preparing them for success in school.

10 Great Reasons to Read to Your Child (A Message From the Toronto Early Literacy Specialists)

  1. Reading stimulates your child’s imagination.
  2. Children learn lots of new words through reading.
  3. Reading builds a child’s ability to concentrate.
  4. Children learn about the world through books.
  5. Reading builds a child’s listening skills.
  6. children gain awareness of letters and words.
  7. Children learn to appreciate the richness of language.
  8. Reading together brings you and your child closer.
  9. Children thrive on the positive attention at story time.
  10. you will give your child a life long love of books by reading aloud regularly.

Join us each Monday for Literacy Mondays!

Every Monday at 9:30 and 1:30, Creating Together hosts “Literacy Mondays“, and we’d love to see you there. Come read and sing along with parents/caregivers and a staff member. This program is designed for one-on-one or small group storytelling, featuring developmentally appropriate books and CDs. Children also have a choice to listen to a story with headphones on their own.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: early literacy, language development, literacy program, parenting tips, reading

Spring into Reading: Literacy at Creating Together

March 21, 2017 by Creating Together

Spring has arrived!

The days will now get longer, the ground will slowly thaw, and pretty soon the leaves and flowers will show themselves. As you notice these beautiful elements of the season, consider coming in to enjoy our staff picks for Spring reads, or the amazing assortment of books shared in our Literacy Program on Monday mornings.

Did you know that a child’s knowledge of songs and rhymes at age 3 is predictor of his/her ability to read by age 6? Why not come and take advantage of the opportunities and support available to you at Creating Together?

Teach your child about the seasons and give them a love for literacy through reading!

 

Here’s a selection of books used for the Literacy Program on Mondays, 9:30-10:30am

Every Monday morning from 9:30-10:30, come in and enjoy “Literacy Mondays”, which bring together storytelling, music and song to support children in their love of reading. These interactive story times use age-appropriate, over-sized books, to make the experience of reading more engaging.

When speaking with Neha at Creating Together about tips for engaging children in the process, she emphasized the importance of giving children a choice in which book they’d like to read, choosing books that are age appropriate, and reading in ways that are also age appropriate. Take a look at this great tip sheet: Milestones of Early Literacy Development.

Tip: Have children choose their book for reading time!

Neha also encourages families to speak in their mother tongue at home, reminding us that bilingualism helps children with their sense of identity, self-confidence, and ability to think about their ideas and communicate in both languages.

For further resources and tip sheets for supporting your child’s language and literacy development, take a look at this great resource page compile by the Macaulay Child Development Centre: Early Literacy for Parents

 

Do remember to come by with any questions or support needs you have to Tanya or Neha – they’d love to connect and help you spring into reading with your child!

 

Filed Under: Special Activities Tagged With: bilingualism, early literacy, literacy milestones, literacy program, reading

About Us

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Creating Together Parkdale Family Resource Centre

Our mission is to support the healthy social, cognitive, emotional and physical development of children 0 to 6 years and their families. We welcome children aged 0 to 6 years and their families/ caregivers to relax and connect with each other and with the greater communities through our many programs.
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Hours

MON 9:00am - 2:30pm
TUE 9:00am - 2:30pm
WED 9:00am - 2:30pm
THU 9:00am - 2:30pm
FRI 9:00am - 1:30pm
SAT 10am - 2:00pm (twice monthly)
SUN Closed

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Contact Us

Creating Together
1342 Queen Street West
Phone: (416) 537-1004
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Charitable Registration Number:
12947 6248 RR0001
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