The Alberta Prairie C.O.W. bus brings family literacy support and awareness to rural and urban communities throughout the province.
The program:
The C.O.W. bus is a friendly space for parents and younger children, zero to six years, to learn and explore fun new ways to add literacy activities into their daily lives.
At the invitation of local literacy groups, the C.O.W. bus tours rural and urban communities across Alberta participating in locally planned events. A visit from the C.O.W. Bus is an exciting way to promote family literacy.
Trained family literacy facilitators provide information on the importance of early language development and leave behind a small library of quality children’s books with each community.
The Benefits:
For Families
Works with parents to help them read with their babies and preschoolers.
Presents parents with new ideas for family literacy activities to use at home.
Promotes oral language development - the foundation for literacy.
Raises awareness of parents as their chid’s first and best teachers.
For Literacy Organizations
Promotes local programs and raises community awareness of the literacy programs being offered both locally and provincially.
Strengthens partnerships among local agencies.
Attracts the attention of local dignitaries, potential support agencies and decision-make.
For Communities
Increases the amount of children’s reading material available to local families.
The ultimate goal: a more literate society.
Alberta
Prairie C.O.W. Bus Schedule
2010
Lacombe and area - February 16-19
Westlock - March 19 & 20
Vulcan and area - March 29 - April 1
Coronation and area (Halkirk, Consort, Brownfield, Castor) - April 12-16
Fairview - April 21
Grimshaw - April 22
Spirit River - April 23
Grande Prairie and area (Elmworth, Wembley, Beaverlodge, Hythe, Valhalla, Laglace, Sexsmith) - May 3-7
Smoky Lake and area - May 17-21
Mountainview County (Olds) - May 25 - 27
Swan Hills - June 17 & 18
Sherwood Park - June 21 & 22
Darwell - July 22
Hay Lakes - August 11
Leduc - August 19
Wildwood & Niton Junction - August 24 & 25
Elk Point/ Northern Lights Library Division - September 15-18
Flagstaff County - September 22 & 23
Hanna and area - September 27 - October 1
High River, Black Diamond & Okotoks - October 4-8
Rocky Mountain House and area - October 12-15
Buffalo Lake Metis Settlement - October 25 - 28
Three Hills and area (Carbon and Linden) - November 3 & 4
Stoney Nakoda Nation - November 15-19
Click here to view the Alberta Prairie C.O.W Bus Schedule and Photo Archive
AlbertaPrairie C.O.W. Bus is funded by: Alberta Advanced Education and Technology, Community Programs
United Way “Working together in Alberta”
For more information on this project, please call (780) 421-7323 or e-mail info@famlit.ca
What parents and participants have said about the program
“Thanks so much. Your bus is filled with so many new ideas that I can use with my son."
"My young kids loved everything about it. We had a lovely family time together aboard the bus. Thank You!"
From a town councilor -
"This is a great asset to have pass through the community. I learned something about literacy today."
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