Families in Timmins challenged to read 1,000 books before kindergarten
Families with young children in Timmins are invited to participate in the '1,000 Books Before Kindergarten' program. It's a free, self-paced program to encourage literacy among young children before they go to school.
To generate interest in the initiative, the EarlyON Child and Family Centre in partnership with the Timmins Public Library hosted a 'story walk' at the Hersey Lake Conservation Area.
Young families took advantage of a beautiful autumn day to appreciate the beauty of Hersey Lake Conservation Area and to learn something at the same time during a 'story walk' hosted by EarlyON and the Timmins Public Library. Local author Susan Reimer read from her book: 'Letters in the Woods'. (Lydia Chubak/CTV News Northern Ontario)
"This program is for families with children from birth until they hit they kindergarten basically. It’s to encourage families to read 1,000 books before they hit kindergarten," said Gabriella Desmarais-Brunet, program manager for EarlyON Child and Family Centre Quality Assurance.
Helping them get started was local author Susan Reimer who read from her book 'Letters in the Woods,' inspired by her visits to the park.
"They discover that there are letters everywhere and some of the kids were pointing out Vs on the roots on the ground and things like that," Reimer said.
Many of the children participating in the 'story walk' were not able to read yet, but officials said it's never too early to start.
"Studies show that the sooner we can get kids loving books, loving reading, the better they do in school, said Erin Auger, assistant library director for the Timmins Public Library.
One parent, Canessa Kaltwasser, said it was a perfect opportunity to teach her son, Totem, about the alphabet.
"Sometimes you need like an outside source to make you be excited about teaching your child’s letters," Kaltwasser said.
Logbooks are available to help people keep track of the books they read and there are prizes for hitting milestones along the way. To participate, people may follow along with the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Timmins Facebook page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.