February is Literacy Month.

On Wellness Wednesday here on CHTM, Bruce Krentz, Health Promotion Coordinator for the Northern Health Region shared why strong literacy skills are necessary and helpful.

“We all feel like we learn to read in school but really, so much of our learning happens outside of school. So much of why we need to practise our literacy skills as kids to learn how to read but then to keep them going throughout our life is just all of the benefits that come to you from having stronger literacy.”  

Krentz said those benefits include being able to understand medical instructions, interpreting your bills and bank accounts, searching on the internet, shopping for groceries and other every day activities.

Increased literacy skills can also improve your job prospects and income level.

The Hello Parents Network will host Family Literacy Day during Winterfest on Sunday, February 25th at the TRCC from 9 am to 11 am.  There will be a Teddy Bear clinic, celebrity readers and a new books give-away.