Village Gamer

TVOKids puts the spotlight on the written word with a week-long celebration of reading and writing, leading up to Family Literacy Day on Friday, January 27, which follows closely on the heels of a recent study that showed that TVOKids resources help kids to develop key literacy skills.

TVOKids’ live after-school TV block, The Space (weekdays from 3:30 pm to 7:00 pm) will get kids excited about reading and writing during “Book Week” beginning January 23.

Highlights of the week include:

• Popular children’s authors Kevin Sylvester (January 24), Ashley Spires (January 25) and Melanie Watt (January 27) will join TVOKids hosts on-air live and via Skype in The Space.
• Paul Rosen, ABC Life Literacy Ambassador and Family Literacy Day champion will make a special appearance in The Space on January 26.
• TVOKids will be opening up the phone lines and Buzzbox Mailbox, asking kids to call in to talk about their favourite books.
• Name that Book, a phone-in game that kids can play daily throughout the week is back by popular demand.
• TVOKids will launch The Kratts Brothers’ Story Writing Contest, encouraging kids to become authors and write their own adventure story. (Visit tvokids.com for more information.)

For early learners, Gisèle’s Big Backyard (weekdays from 6 am to 3:30 pm) will launch Sir Readsalot of Signs – an environmental print reading series that is part of The Adventures of Sir Readsalot. On Family Literacy Day, Gisèle and her backyard friends will be talking about literacy all day.

And for parents, teachers, caregivers and anyone interested in literacy, TVOParents.com will be posting a new interview on January 23 with Margaret Eaton, President of ABC Life Literacy Canada (founders of Family Literacy Day) and offers a curated selection of literacy themed content including an interview with internationally acclaimed children’s author, Robert Munsch.

“Literacy and learning are at the core of everything we do at TVO. We are committed to helping to enhance literacy in Ontario families, and we’re proud to participate in Family Literacy Day,” said TVO’s CEO Lisa de Wilde.

“We are delighted that TVOKids and TVOParents continue engaging their viewers in lifelong learning through Family Literacy Day programming and resources,” said Margaret Eaton, ABC Life Literacy Canada president. “The positive impact of spending just 15 minutes a day engaged in a learning activity as a family is evident for years to come. Using everyday tasks such as laundry, cooking or traveling in the car as teachable moments keeps learning fun for everyone.”