A Message from the Executive Director
March is here and that means that Spring is just around the corner! For us here at Investing in Children,
Spring also brings a lot of exciting opportunities ahead for our community.
We are gearing up for another series of Family Literacy Events for the Thames Valley District School Board.
These theme-based events will again spark the imaginations of all of the participants and offer children and their families some
concrete ideas to make literacy
fun and exciting.
Kids First Day is scheduled for April 26. Plans are well underway for a day filled with free events that
celebrate all of the great opportunities our community has to offer to children and their families. We invite anyone interested in being
part of
Kids First Day to
contact us. This day will also see the release of the 2006 Snapshot of London’s Children and Youth, as well as our Kids Power Conference
for children Grades 7 & 8.
Enjoy reading our Spring emailer and know how much we appreciate your continued support!
Sincerely,
Anita Gilvesy
Executive Director
Family
Literacy
 Investing in Children continues our work
in literacy. This month, we will start our next series of family
literacy events in Aberdeen,
Princess Elizabeth, and Adelaide MacDonald Public Schools. These
events, run in partnership with the Thames Valley District School
Board, will deliver four weekly family literacy events at each
school, around the themes of The Olympics, Good Eats, Space and
Knights & Castles.
On National Family Literacy Day in January, we partnered with
LUSO, the London Public Library and the London Regional Children's
Museum to host a family literacy event at the Northland Mall.
Research shows that a good way to improve
the literacy skills in a family is by first helping the parent
access resources and
opportunities. Parents are generally interested in learning about
their role as their child’s first teacher. When they learn
how important their role is, their desire to increase their own
literacy skills often increases. Participating in a family literacy
program can be the first step to improving literacy skills. Family
literacy helps learning for all family members by using the strengths
with in the family.
Literacy is not a set of school skills but a way of relating
to the family and community. As an example, during an Investing
in Children family literacy event we will often include baking
- together the child and their caregiver are reading, following
instructions and using measurement in a low cost everyday activity
that can incorporated into the home. Other family literacy activities
can include play, talk, rhymes, songs, telling and reading stories,
music and dancing.
Kids First Day 2006
 What is your family doing on Wednesday, April 26? How would
you like to take part in dozens of free activities and events
at locations throughout London, and learn about the people making
our city a great place for families and children? Then join thousands
of other London families in celebrating Kids First Day, a special
event organized by Investing in Children, and sponsored by Scholar's
Choice and 103.1 Fresh FM.
Kids First Day is a unique-to-London solution
that began over three years ago. Investing in Children recognized
that while
negative issues often grab the headlines, there are even more
positive things happening in our city that don’t always
get the spotlight. Kids First Day was born as a way to recognize
all of the opportunities that London offers to families and children,
and became a celebration of the businesses, organizations and
people who make those opportunities possible.
Last year, over 6000 children and their families took part in
more than 50 Kids First Day activities. Each of these activities
was organized by a different community partner, who joined us
from the public, business and social service sectors. Families
took part in craft and construction projects, cookie decorating,
puppet and magic shows and plenty of other activities. Many families
spent the day traveling from one partner location to another,
making for a very full Kids First Day!
This year, Kids First Day will feature even
more opportunities for your family to enjoy, with new community
partners joining
previous participants. For a complete list of this year’s
partner locations and events, visit our website at www.investinginchildren.on.ca.
Check back every week for the most up to date listings. And listen
for Investing in Children staff on 103.1 Fresh FM as we get closer
to April 26, and all day long on Kids First Day.
If you would like to be a Kids First Day sponsor, or if you
have a roadside sign and would like to help spread the word,
please call Greg Picken at 433-8996 ext. 225. If you would like
to register as a partner location, please call or download and
return an activity planner from www.investinginchildren.on.ca by April 19.
Mark your Calendars!
- Fun at the Frog - Wednesday, June 21, 2006
- Thames Valley Track and Field Event for Special Olympic Athletes - May 23-25, 2006
- Book Camp London - August 21-25, 2006
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