By Bonnie Williamson
The Havre-Hill County Library will be taking part in National Family Literacy Day on Monday, Nov. 1. This day is celebrated all over the country with special activities and events that showcase literacy programs and the important learning relationships between parents and their children.
The Friends of the Havre-Hill County Library are planning with other agencies in Havre to celebrate Family Literacy Day by raising awareness of literacy. Everyone can be involved simply by reading to children or grandchildrenor by listening to the children read.
Carrie Wilson, Havre-Hill County Library Childrens Librarian is reading to students at St. Judes as part of the promotion of family literacy. Carr#ie is available to other schools and agencies upon request.
Carrie also heads up Havre-Hill County Librarys Book Babies program, a new library approach to family literacy. On alternate weeks parents and babies under two listen to stories, songs, and partake in finger play and other learning exercises. New materials including board books, cassettes, and videos on story telling have been purchased. Oct. 26 at 1:30 in the library meeting room is the next Book Baby program, with further meetings scheduled for Nov. 9 and Nov. 23.
The Book Babies program (Catch em in the Cradle is the slogan) is an important part of family literacy programming since families participate together. Grandparents and guardians are, of course, also encouraged to attend.
Advocates stress that family literacy is critical to all learning and communication. Family Literacy is an effective, comprehensive approach to working with families in need. Using four integrated components; adult education, childhood education, parent-child interaction and parenting education, family literacy programs break the cycle of intergenerational poverty and undereducation.
