Ladysmith Storybook Walk pilot program extended until year end

The Ladysmith Storybook Walk continues to create beneficial opportunities for local children and families to read and stay active and is being extended until the end of the year.

Since launching on Family Day last February as a pilot program between the Town of Ladysmith and the Ladysmith Resources Centre Association (LRCA), the highly successful community-based initiative promoting literacy and physical literacy has inspired hundreds of participants. 

The LRCA is providing funding to support the continuation of storybook walk at Kinsmen Park/Brown Drive Park until the end of the year.

The premise behind a storybook walk is that children and families explore the pages of a book that are installed along a path while at the same time participating in physical activity.  The local installation winds its way around the playground and through the nearby forest trail where children’s imaginations can come to life.

During COVID-19, the LRCA was able to pivot its Adventures in Early Literacy program outside in a way that children could safely gather.

Behind the words on the pages is a story of community coming together – whether it is through the donations of books, collaboration with local schools or the broad support from local organizations, and businesses.

Here are a few of the highlights:

• * Ladysmith Storybook Walk supporters help in selecting weekly books.
• * Ladysmith Maritime Society joins forces with LRCA to hold a special presentation at the park for the kindergarten classes from Ladysmith Primary School to coincide with Ladysmith Pirate Days.

• * Children submit original ocean-themed artwork to go on display to coincide with World Oceans Day
• * The Land and Language Based Learning Program at Ladysmith Secondary School selects “shxw’ aluqwa.”The book is written entirely in hul'qumi'num.
• * Two hundred literacy bags are assembled by volunteers and handed out to 113 kindergarten students. An additional 87 are handed out to the early years population in Ladysmith.
• * The Storybook Walk’s popularity continues over the summer with families visiting from out of town.
• * Ladysmith Primary submits over 100 painted dots to coincide with the book The Dot.This book celebrates courage, creativity and collaboration. It also comes with its own international day, Dot Day. Their artwork is on display throughout the walk.
• * Local teachers incorporate the storybook walk into their teaching curriculum with weekly visits to the park.

 

On Sunday, the Town and LRCA are organizing a special event at Kinsmen Park/Brown Drive Park in celebration of International Dot Day and to promote early literacy.

Make Your Mark!

Join us this Sunday, September 26th for a fun morning to celebrate Peter Reynold’s delightful children’s book The Dot, an international best seller that celebrates creativity, courage and collaboration.  The LRCA’s Adventures in Early Literacy program along Parks, Recreation and Culture will be onsite at the Storybook Walk at 10 am- 12 pm  with art supplies, chalk, physical literacy activities and more!

For the latest news and updates, visit the Town’s website at www.ladysmith.ca, as well as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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