What is Family Literacy?

Family literacy refers to the learning that takes place within the family. This intergenerational learning includes parents, children, siblings, step-family, grandparents, caregivers, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, neighbours, and others as identified by the family.

Literacy learning starts early in life. Language learning is the foundation of literacy: talking, singing, rhyming, signing, playing, and book sharing all build language skills. Everyday life brings opportunities for learning that helps adults and children build relationships, gain skills, accomplish work, and participate fully in their communities.

~ Saskatchewan Literacy Network (SLN) (2016). Introduction to Family Literacy Participant Handbook

Resources for Families

Book Sharing

There are many ways to share books with young children – reading is only one of them! Click here to read more ideas and tips for book sharing.

Screen Time Tip Sheet image with text that reads "Screen time can be watching TV or movies, using computers or laptops, playing video games, or using tablets or smartphones. For young children, they need your help to understand and learn from what they see and hear on screens." with a subtitle that reads "5 Ideas and Tips". There is a drawing of an adult and a child playing a game together on a tablet. Clicking on the image will link to the full tip sheet.

Screen Time

Screens are all around us! Click here for 5 ideas and tips to make the most of screen time with young children.

Growth and Development of Your Child

Growth and Development of Your Child

As your child’s first teacher, you help your child learn to walk, talk, play, count, express feelings, regulate emotions, share, love, and much more. Click here to read more in this information sheet.

Booklet Series
For the Love of Reading: a booklet for your reading journey together with your child - from baby to 9 years old and beyond
This cover image is also a link to view and download the family literacy booklet "For the Joy of Learning"
For the Joy of Learning: a booklet for your learning journey together with your child - from baby to beginning reader and beyond
This cover image of the family literacy booklet "For the Success at School" is also a link to view and download the booklet.
For the Success at School: a booklet for your journey with your child at school - from preschool to high school and beyond
Resources for Practitioners and Professionals
Dual Language Mini-Books

A former Saskatchewan Community Literacy Fund project, the Building Bridges Family Literacy Project, focused on supporting recent immigrant parents and their children. The project resulted in the creation of dual-language mini-books for young learners and their caregivers to use together. The creation of dual-language mini-books, written at an emergent level, supports the needs of the emergent readers who are acquiring English as an additional language. These dual-language mini-books provide for home language maintenance, and also allow for an easier transition to learning the English language. The Saskatchewan Literacy Network is sharing their work as a resource intended to support work with newcomer families to Saskatchewan.

Dual Language Mini-Books
Family Literacy Hubs

We are pleased to work in collaboration with Family Literacy Hubs around the province. Family Literacy Hubs work with schools, libraries, and communities to provide access to family literacy programs, services, and supports for families. For more information on the organizations that are funded by the Ministry of Education to act as Family Literacy Hubs within Saskatchewan, visit the Government of Saskatchewan website:

Family Literacy Hubs