The role of parents in the development of their children’s literacy cannot be over emphasised. Yet not every parent finds it easy to help their child develop and learn. Family literacy work can help to overcome the barriers to learning felt by some adults and children who find it difficult to relate to school learning and encourages parents and children to work together to improve both their literacy skills.
The vital role played by parents, grandparents and other care-givers in their children’s education at all stages is gaining recognition. As a result, there is a growing need to support those parents who may wish to improve their own literacy skills and confidence in the context of family life and learning.
Family literacy work usually takes place in the context of a structured programme with the assistance of a trained literacy tutor. However informal and fun learning at home is an equally important factor in a child’s development.
Family literacy programmes:
One of the ways children learn is through play. A child who is playing is refining learning skills that continue to develop during childhood and beyond. Adults can help by providing opportunities for different types of play. Play can help to show what children know and understand. Positive attitudes to learning occur when learning is enjoyable and fun.
Children’s ability to think and understand experiences develops by listening and speaking. As a child’s language becomes more complex so does their ability to understand more complex thoughts and ideas. Early speech is called ‘babbling’, when a child is ‘playing’ at making sounds. Parents of different nationalities pick out the sounds which are most like their own language and respond enthusiastically to them.
Storytelling with young children is more than just looking at or reading books. It creates a relationship between the teller and the listener; between the listener and the story. Stories have an emotional quality which can help children make sense of their feelings. Storybooks play an important role in a child’s development. They help children learn language and reading skills and much of this learning can occur naturally at home.
NALA policy brief on family literacy - in Ireland up to 30% of primary school children from disadvantaged areas have literacy difficulties. NALA believe that family literacy should be a key element in a national literacy framework, and in a refreshed adult literacy strategy, as outlined in this document.
At home with family learning provides lots of ideas for parents to help babies, toddlers and primary school children’s literacy and numeracy development. The booklet demonstrates how to practice reading, writing and maths skills with a child, in a fun and colourful way. It includes games and puzzles that have a wide appeal for all age groups. The booklet also contains information for adults wishing to join a literacy programme. It includes a handy section for parents with practical information on what to do if their child needs further support in developing their literacy and numeracy.
Working together – approaches to family literacy provides an introduction to the concept of family literacy and guidelines for groups interested in family literacy work.
Supporting family literacy is a useful guide for people involved in family learning programmes. The guide explains the many different theories of learning, how the family environment can affect a child’s motivation, learning through play and even the importance of early speech or ‘babbling’.
Developing family literacy programmes - this is a four page leaflet that provides useful tips and suggestions about how to develop a family literacy programme.
For more information about family literacy call NALA
01 412 7918
