Welcome!

Welcome to Network’s August Newsletter. We continue with the summer version of the Newsletter highlighting lighter content to allow for a quick review for our readers during this hot and busy month. We hope you enjoy this edition. Happy Summer!

Mark Your Calendars – These Dates Are Noteworthy!

August 5

August 5th is the Civic Holiday in Ontario!

This special day is not actually considered a statutory holiday interestingly enough, but more of a municipal holiday. Each municipality throughout Ontario recognizes a noteworthy individual. In Toronto, this day has been referred to as “Simcoe Day” celebrating the life of John Graves Simcoe.

August 9

August 9th is National Book Lovers Day!

Have you read any good books lately is often the question on this special day as it offers everyone a reminder to take a few moments and pick up your favourite book for a delightful read. Shared reading opportunities with children could also be particularly celebrated on this day, as we are never too young or too old to enjoy a great book either by ourselves, or one which is read to us by someone else.

August 19

August 19th is World Photography Day!

With the advancement in technology, the use of cellular telephones has brought the concept of taking a picture more accessible than ever before. Launched in 2009 by Korske Ara, an Australian photographer, this special day has circled the globe with now more than 500 million active photographers.  This year’s theme for World Photography Day is “An Entire Day”. When people are asked about their most precious possessions, often the response is their photographs, particularly of family members near and far. What does an entire day look like for your family?

August 30

August 30th is National Beach Day!

Since 2014, this special day has brought awareness to our beaches in the hopes of maintaining them as clean and safe spaces for everyone to enjoy. Often the beach is where young children experience their first sensations of sand as a textured material which could be shaped and molded with the use of water.

Good Books Are Not Hard To Find!

August in Toronto is usually a very warm month filled with days of summer activities. Interestingly enough, one of these special days encourages the importance of reading. Luckily, print material is readily available not just with the use of technology (as a last resort), but with a visit to one of 100 Toronto Public Library locations.

Reading to children on a daily basis encourages language development at any age but the benefits of reading are lifelong. Often the struggle to read stems from the search for time, however, similar to the scheduling of a meal or a nap, making time to read with your child should also be a vital and a necessary activity conducted each day.

Real books, versus books via the computer or tablet, are tangible items which can be held by children regardless of their reading ability. The concept of turning pages in a book and visualizing the sequence of events throughout the story gives children the opportunity to actively engage in the messages which are imparted to them. This becomes incredibly evident when children are offered the choice between a real book, or a book displayed to them on a screen.

Just check out the difference when visiting your local library. The engagement is palpable!

References:

Torontopubliclibrary.ca
calendar.com
wincalendar.com
Toronto.ca
Today.com