Engaging With Reading for Family Literacy Day at MRU's Child Care Centre

Last Friday, FESA partnered up with the Mount Royal University Child Care Centre. While Family Literacy Day was officially on January 27th, scheduling required us to move the event to the following Friday.

The Mount Royal University Child Care Centre gracefully held us in one of their classrooms, which was a cozy spot that facilitated the learning experience. Nestled in the reading corner, we started the day with a couple books -- some of Victoria's favourites: The Monster Mac and Cheese Party by Todd Parr and Oh the Places You'll Go by Dr. Seuss.

Afterwards, it was craft time and the kids worked on paper balloons where they got to customize them to their liking with paints, markers, crayons, coloured tissue paper, and other tactile accoutrements like cotton balls, pipe cleaners, etc.

FESA Practicum students Aza and Menna were in attendance for the event to help out and learn through experience. Aza felt that “the crafting was a great continuation of the learning from the book because hot air balloons were a focus of the book. I really enjoyed talking with some children and seeing how creative they could be when decorating their hot air balloons.”

After craft time, the kids had been sitting around for a little while and needed to burn off that pent-up energy, so it was time for some singalongs and nursery rhymes that got them moving and laughing.

Before you knew it, it was time to wrap things up. We brought learning kits with us to hand out to the kids at the end of the day. It was like Christmastime for the kids, where they excitedly lined up dawned their new FESA purple packs, filled with books, colouring tools, games, and other items that will help with their early development.

One of the most fulfilling aspects of the event was observing the genuine joy and eagerness displayed by the children as they actively took part in the songs and activities led by a facilitator. It affirmed my belief in the importance of creating interactive and engaging learning experiences, especially at such a crucial age for development. — Menna, FESA Practicum Student