Read, Talk, Play, Learn: Family Literacy Day Turns Meals into Learning Time

We all know the importance of literacy, and we always make a point of promoting it, telling children and people around us about the value of reading and learning, and how it helps us become better individuals or pursue a successful career.

In other words, literacy gives wings to us and our dreams.

Now, our society has grown in a way that literate people are seen in a different light, as they may know things that others are unaware of.

More often than not, we believe in the saying that a child's first school is home. Parents are the first people who teach and encourage children to do things. We can also say that learning is not confined to children; we all start learning from home, even as we grow older. Our values still come mostly from our families.

And we all believe that families should take some time out to do activities together, to make memories, grow closer to each other, and learn from one another.

In 1999, Family Literacy Day was started to encourage parents and caregivers to read, learn, and spend time learning together with their children. The idea behind it was that when learning begins at home and is supported by family members, children can do better in school and in life in general.

The day also aims to show people that literacy is not just about reading books, but also includes talking, storytelling, singing, playing, and other everyday activities done together as a family.

It was created on 27 January 1999 by ABC Life Literacy Canada, a national literacy organization. Since then, it has been officially celebrated in Canada and is also observed informally in some other countries, including some schools in India.

The day is all about raising awareness about the importance of reading and engaging in literacy-related activities as a family. The theme for Family Literacy Day 2026 is “Make Mealtime Family Learning Time.”

Let's understand why family mealtime is important for the learning of kids.

Families talk during meals, which helps everyone, especially children, improve their language skills. Kids learn new words at that time and also learn how to express feelings, which builds their confidence. These mealtime conversations shouldn't be taken for granted as they strengthen family bonds, and this can create a habit of sharing ideas with each other. In turn, families can learn together.

Hence, this year's theme encourages using mealtime as a special learning moment. It suggests that reading, sharing stories, talking, and learning new words can happen naturally at meals.

You can play word games with your family such as I Spy, Word Chain, or Crossword.

Discuss a topic with them, help them understand it, and then encourage them to give their opinions about it.

Tell an interesting story to them and encourage them to narrate one, regardless of how it turns out.

Talk to them about food—its importance, ingredients, nutrition, where it comes from, etc.

Read a short poem or story to them before eating.

How will you celebrate this year's Family Literacy Day with your family?