OLC and Learning for Families | Literature and Resources
Partners in Learning for Families
The home is the first classroom and caregivers, the first teachers. One of the strongest tools in supporting literacy development is giving caregivers the skills to support good literacy activities in the home.
Family Literacy is not just about reading and writing. It is about developing stronger relationships between parents and their children, getting families involved in the education of their children, and building stronger families and healthier communities.
The ability of caregivers to provide a literacy-rich environment is at the heart of all other learning in a knowledge-based society.
OLC research on Integrated Family Literacy Programming in Action revealed:
- 85% of program participants report an increase in self-esteem.
- 30% of program participants report the program as a primary space to practice English.
- 95% of program participants report program materials as helpful and user-friendly.
- 95% of program participants would recommend their program to a friend.
OLC and Learning for Families
The Ontario Literacy Coalition has developed a Learning for Families that Strategy seeks to:
The Ontario Literacy Coalition has developed a Learning for Families that Strategy seeks to:
- Gather data and intelligence surrounding Learning for Families to serve as an incubator of new approaches to Family Literacy.
- Facilitate partnerships between family literacy agencies, community partners and a variety of government ministries.
- Promote professional development to improve the effectiveness and accessibility of programs across Ontario.
- Advise the public sector on family literacy activities to shape policy and guide program development.
Our Learning for Families Strategy is delivered through a partnership approach between family literacy agencies, community partners and a various government ministries. It can address additional skills issues such as improving parenting skills, job skills, health literacy, financial literacy and computer literacy.
Learning for Families involves developing learning opportunities and initiatives for parents and caregivers so they can foster a culture of learning in their homes.
Our activities and initiatives in the Learning for Families Strategy include:
Partnership Framework for Integrated Family Literacy Planning
Literature and Resources
The literature on family literacy in Ontario yields consistent lessons. It reveals adult learners are most likely to attend family literacy classes than regular literacy and basic skills courses. The results are extremely positive (from self-esteem to language skills to learned life strategies) but sustained funding, communications and partnership development are the foundation of a successful program.
The literature on family literacy in Ontario yields consistent lessons. It reveals adult learners are most likely to attend family literacy classes than regular literacy and basic skills courses. The results are extremely positive (from self-esteem to language skills to learned life strategies) but sustained funding, communications and partnership development are the foundation of a successful program.
Literature from Ontario Literacy Coalition
Integrated Family Literacy Programming In Action: Community Snapshots & Recommendations. 2008.
This research examines models of family literacy programming in Hamilton, Kingston and Toronto that fully integrate adult and children’s literacy development, and recommends developing a partnership framework in support of integrated family literacy in Ontario.
The State of Family Literacy in Ontario. 2006.
This research takes a snapshot of family literacy activity in Ontario and was designed to identify issues and gaps in the current family literacy infrastructure and to identify effective and sustainable options for family literacy delivery.
Family Literacy in Ontario: A Guide to Best Practices. 2005.
"This must-have guide for family literacy program planning and development includes a general action plan and budgeting worksheet and an overview of program models. It is intended as a framework for planning effective program design, development and evaluation. Fourteen best practices areas highlight a range of areas such funding, partnerships, policies, staff development and resources".
To order these publications, contact olc@on.literacy.ca. View all OLC publications.
Family Literacy in Ontario: Putting it on the MAP!
With a focus on Anglophone programs, this study found that the family literacy field is too under-funded and under-developed to meet the level of need in the province. This study is available on the OLC website.
Resources
Literacy Impacts Families
Produced by the Ontario Literacy Coalition. A series of factsheet outlining the impact of literacy on Families in Ontario.
Action for Family Literacy Ontario
Action for Family Literacy Ontario (AFLO) is a provincial working group committed to moving family literacy forward in Ontario. This blog is a place where people can find up-to-date links to research and other links.
Centre for Family Literacy
The Centre for Family literacy is dedicated to helping families grow and prosper. Our programs, training and research help Alberta families achieve what they imagine - improved education, jobs and health.
Parenting and Family Literacy Centres
Parenting and Family Literacy Centres help prepare children for starting school and encourage families to be a part of their children's learning.
Literacy BC
Literacy BC is the lead provincial organization responsible for family literacy development and coordination in British Columbia.
Partners in Learning for Families
As a partnership development organization, the Ontario Literacy Coalition recognizes the importance of collaboration in every aspect of our work. The OLC would like to thank the individuals and organizations who contribute their expertise and support Learning for Families.
