Literacy in the Great Outdoors
January 27 is Family Literacy Day, and the theme for this year is Learning in the Great Outdoors —something we value greatly at Childreach. We often find ourselves playing, hiking, and wandering outside both at work in our programs and with our families.
Being outside offers many opportunities to learn and build literacy skills, as you explore the world using your senses, and observe and interact in natural and built environments. You could be feeling rain or snow on your skin, watching birds or butterflies fly through the air, or digging in the dirt; all great opportunities for talking about sensory experiences, using descriptive words, and sharing your feelings. Perhaps you’re intentionally going outside to play or you just have a few minutes while you wait for a bus. You could use that time to ask questions about what you see, play “I Spy,” or tell a family story.
An adult and child walk through a farmer's field on a winter day.
Opportunities for play and learning outside are almost unlimited. Today, you might have some family favourites you want to do or you might be here searching for some fresh ideas. To encourage everyone to explore outdoor literacy and play and participate in Family Literacy Day, we’ve compiled a selection of our most literacy-related outdoor play ideas on the blog.
Wild Child: Tell a Family Story
Wild Child: Winter Play is Telling the Stories of What Came Before
Wild Child: Can You Hear Those Birds?
10 Things to do Outside in Winter
Wild Child: Nature Documentation
Explore + Play to Exercise Your Body and Grow Your Brain
You can also find ideas on the ABCLifeLiteracy website, including this list of tips from this year’s featured author Barbara Reid.
Image from ABCLifeLiteracy.ca