Learning doesn’t only happen in classrooms.
For young children, some of the most meaningful learning happens while splashing through water, building with blocks, listening to music, painting colourful masterpieces, turning the pages of a favourite book, or simply playing alongside friends.
These everyday experiences help children develop the language, confidence, creativity, and curiosity that become the building blocks of literacy.
That spirit of joyful learning was on full display during the Play-to-Learn event hosted by the Burnaby Early Childhood Development Table on June 17, 2026, at Edmonds Park in Burnaby.
With support from the City of Burnaby and the Burnaby School District 41, the annual event brought together approximately 300 to 350 community members, including around 100 to 150 families, for a morning dedicated to play, learning, and community connection.
As always, Literacy Now Burnaby was delighted to be part of the celebration, sharing hundreds of free children’s books and connecting with families about the importance of reading together.
Why Play Is Essential for Early Literacy
Long before children begin reading independently, they are already developing the skills that make reading possible.
Research shows that play supports many foundational literacy skills, including:
- Vocabulary development
- Listening and communication
- Imagination
- Storytelling
- Problem solving
- Social-emotional development
- Self-expression
- Attention and memory
According to UNICEF, play is one of the most important ways young children learn. Through playful experiences, children explore language, build relationships, solve problems, and make sense of the world around them.
A Morning Filled With Play and Discovery
Under sunny skies at Edmonds Park, families enjoyed a wide variety of activities designed to encourage exploration and learning through play.
Children laughed as they explored the park’s water features, ran through fountains, splashed with water toys, and enjoyed the giant tipping bucket that quickly became one of the day’s favourite attractions.
Throughout the park, activity stations invited children to create, imagine, and discover.
Families could enjoy:
- Creative art activities
- Collaborative painting on a giant paper mural
- Interactive games
- Sensory play
- Opportunities to meet local community organizations
- Outdoor exploration
- Plenty of time for free play with friends
The atmosphere reflected something educators have known for decades: Children learn best when they are curious, engaged, and having fun.
Music That Brought Everyone Together
One of the day’s highlights was the live performance by Will Stroet, better known as Will’s Jams, a JUNO-nominated Canadian children’s entertainer.
Families gathered together to sing, dance, clap, and move while enjoying educational songs presented in both English and French.
Music naturally supports literacy by helping children develop:
- Listening skills
- Rhythm and sound awareness
- Vocabulary
- Memory
- Confidence
- Language development
Singing together is one of the simplest and most enjoyable ways families can build early literacy at home.
Free Books, New Adventures
One of the busiest stops throughout the event was the Literacy Now Burnaby table.
Families were invited to browse hundreds of brand-new and gently loved children’s books, choosing stories to take home and enjoy together. By the end of the event, approximately 350 to 400 books had found new homes with local children and families.
Watching children carefully choose “their” book is always one of the most rewarding moments at community events. Some excitedly flipped through the pages immediately. Others proudly carried stacks of books home to enjoy later with parents, grandparents, siblings, friends or caregivers.
Each book represents far more than paper and ink. It represents new ideas, shared conversations, bedtime routines, imagination, and opportunities to build a lifelong love of reading.
Every Conversation Helps Build a Reading Community
The event was also an opportunity to introduce more families to the work of Literacy Now Burnaby.
Volunteers spoke with parents and caregivers about:
- The importance of reading together
- Local literacy resources
- Free community events
- Book donation opportunities
- Family literacy programs available in Burnaby
These conversations are just as valuable as the books themselves.
When families discover local resources, they become part of a larger community working together to support children’s learning.
Why Reading Together Matters
Research consistently shows that reading with children from an early age supports healthy development in many ways.
Reading together helps children:
- Hear new words
- Strengthen communication skills
- Build imagination
- Understand emotions
- Develop empathy
- Improve attention and concentration
- Prepare for school
- Create positive family routines
Even reading for just a few minutes each day can have a lasting impact.
Perhaps most importantly, shared reading helps children associate books with warmth, connection, and enjoyment.
Community Partnerships Make Learning Possible
Events like Play-to-Learn remind us that supporting literacy is a community effort.
The annual event brings together organizations that share a common goal: helping children and families thrive.
Thank you to the Burnaby Early Childhood Development Table for organizing another wonderful Play-to-Learn event, with support from the City of Burnaby and the Burnaby School District 41.
Literacy Now Burnaby is proud to collaborate with local partners who believe every child deserves opportunities to learn, play, and discover the joy of reading.
Simple Ways to Build Literacy Through Play
Families don’t need expensive toys or elaborate activities to support learning.
Try these simple ideas at home:
- Read together every day.
- Visit your local library.
- Sing songs and nursery rhymes.
- Tell family stories.
- Draw pictures and talk about them.
- Play pretend together.
- Explore parks and nature.
- Let children choose the books they’d like to read.
- Ask open-ended questions while reading.
- Make time for unstructured play every day.
Small moments often become the biggest learning opportunities.
Looking Ahead
The Play-to-Learn event once again demonstrated the incredible impact that happens when families, educators, volunteers, and community organizations come together.
Whether children were painting, dancing, splashing through fountains, choosing a new favourite book, or simply enjoying time with family, every activity supported learning in meaningful ways.
At Literacy Now Burnaby, we’re grateful to everyone who stopped by our book table, shared conversations with our volunteers, and helped spread the joy of reading throughout our community.
We look forward to seeing many familiar faces at future literacy events and continuing our mission of helping every child discover the lifelong joy of books, learning, and imagination.
Explore these resources to learn more about play, early literacy, and child development:
- Burnaby Early Childhood Development Community Table
- Literacy Now Burnaby
- City of Burnaby Family Programs
- UNICEF: The Science of Play
- UNICEF Playbox
- Canadian Paediatric Society: Healthy Childhood Development Blog
- Burnaby Public Library Events