International+Literacy+Day+Emphasizes+Literacy+During+the+Pandemic+%26+After

What is International Literacy Day and why set aside a day to celebrate literacy? The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) established this special day in 1966 to be celebrated on September 8 every year. It strongly believes that “literacy can’t wait” and dedicating this day serves “to remind the public of the importance of literacy as a matter of dignity and human rights.”

There are at least 5 reasons why literacy is important to everyone:

1. It promotes our understanding and advancement of health, including brain health.

2. It allows adults and children to participate actively for the betterment of their communities.

3. It enables effective communication.

4. It allows for employment advancement.

5. It is the key to empowerment as it builds knowledge and self-worth.

During the Covid19 pandemic, UNESCO has been growingly concerned about what it has found to be the “unpreparedness of infrastructure, education systems, programs, and people for ensuring the continuity of teaching and learning in such a situation.” Shedding a bright light on this will enable countries all over the world to address the importance of helping teachers to be better educators and to work diligently on improving technology so that education does not lag behind.

To learn more, visit:

https://worldliteracyfoundation.org/international-literacy-day/

https://nationaltoday.com/international-literacy-day/

Keeping Your Children Active during the Summer COVID-19 Shutdowns

It’s the middle of the summer and most places do not have summer camps or other activities available for children. Many areas have closed parks, playgrounds and sports fields. Despite all these restrictions, it is very important to keep your children active as shutdowns have already led to the exacerbation of childhood obesity rates.

Scientists were concerned from the beginning of the lockdowns that children would be negatively affected. Their reasons included children not being able to participate in organized school activities or eat subsidized school lunches as well as being exposed to more snack food at home all day long.

Researchers recently found that compared to one year ago, “children ate an additional meal a day; slept an additional half hour per day; and spent more than 5 hours per day in front of a phone, computer or television screen” during the lockdown. Those are shocking findings indeed!

The World Health Organization recommends that children be physically active at least 60 minutes a day. In confined spaces, there are many activities in which children can participate. Consider online videos with activities. So much is available on YouTube that it just takes a bit of your time to search them out and select the ones your children will enjoy. Your children can even assist you in choosing those videos. Also, try old tried-but-true fun such as building indoor forts, playing hide and seek, dancing to music and jumping rope.

Experts recommend keeping a journal of activities and even rewarding children afterwards. The key is to reinforce positive behavior and build good habits.

For more information, please visit the following: