National Family Literacy Month is being celebrated in the Foothills.

Literacy for Life works to promote literacy by working with anyone, from pre-school ages through to seniors to build essential skills.

Nicole Levesque, program coordinator with Literacy for Life, says they provide programs and events that encourage learning in the family.

"It's in the family environment that it's the most enriching location for kids to get exposure to learning and literacy so a lot of our family events and programs focus on building capacity for parents and caregivers to help their kids and give them the best start they possibly can."

According to Literacy for Life, about 48% of adults in Alberta struggle with literacy where it interferes in their day-to-day life.

Levesque says there's everyday activities people can incorporate to strengthen their skills.

"You can do it in five, 10, 15 minutes so for example we give ideas of doing knock knock jokes while you're in the car or doing a rock paper scissors game, or looking up a recipe online and baking it together," she says. "There's so many things children can learn from that with working together, cooperation, and measuring out cups of flour, so incorporating numeracy as well."

The organization is starting a bingo game where family literacy bingo cards can be picked up the Okotoks and High River libraries and Museum of the Highwood where they're inspiring families to get engaged through everyday activities and to put down their smart phones and devices.

If the bingo card is filled out participants can be entered into a draw where they have the chance to win a family activity prize pack including Telus Spark passes, a gift certificate to Boston Pizza, recreation passes, and board games.

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