The National Literacy Trust defines family literacy as any
programme or initiative that aims to work through parents
to improve the reading and writing of their children, as
well as those that have the improvement of the parent's
literacy as an aim. Family literacy is a powerful way to
support parents with few skills and show them how they can
help their children become confident and effective communicators.
It also has knock-on benefits for other family members -
parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters.
The initatives and research sections of the 'Supporting
parents menu' include many examples of family literacy practice
and research.
Family literacy work is of interest and relevance to many
different professionals, in particular those in early years
and adult basic skills education. But others, for example,
those working in health, housing, the arts and sport, can
benefit from understanding how family literacy programmes
can help break down barriers to learning in the community
and address parenting and other social issues. Many people
find it easier to come forward to participate in a course
on helping their child to read and write than to admit to
difficulties with literacy themselves.
Even so, parents with low confidence and skills may find
it hard to sign up for family literacy courses, especially
if they feel that what they do already to help their children's
literacy development is not recognised or valued. What works
is to provide opportunities - in local centres, schools,
sports centres, anywhere where parents feel at ease - for
parents to take part in taster sessions on subjects that
interest them. It may take some time to engage parents at
this stage, and it helps if there are also opportunities
for them to 'drop back in', if they drop out for any reason.
Sessions might be related to their children's development,
learning how to use computers or money management (especially
for parents of secondary-age children), or consist of practical
activities such as crafts, baby massage, gardening projects
or making Storysacks.
These approaches all provide informal opportunities for
reading and writing. Once parents start to enjoy learning
something new and they feel comfortable with the tutor and
with others taking part, they are more likely to take up
suggestions about how to help their children' developing
literacy, and to try them out at home.
Where parents are speakers of other languages, it can help
to provide multi-lingual tutors or volunteers who speak
community languages, and use materials or texts in the relevant
languages as well as English. Family
literacy programmes funded by local Learning
and Skills Councils (LSCs) include a wide range of courses,
including taster courses, workshops, short courses and more
intensive courses. Guidance
on family literacy programmes
Family literacy programmes have been shown by research to
be effective in improving the literacy skills of primary-age
children and parents. The evidence on how to support the
literacy skills of children at key stage 3 is less conclusive.
However, a 2003 evaluation
of LSC-funded family programmes finds there is a lack
of clarity among practitioners about the purpose of family
literacy approaches, while a paper
by Peter Hannon and Viv Bird, published in 2004, highlights
challenges for research, policy and practice.
Evaluation of Sure
Start local programmes shows that home visiting and
outreach are the most important means for reaching as many
families as possible, but that specific, wide-ranging and
innovative efforts are required to involve fathers, and
ethnic minority groups. The Skills
for Families evaluation provides evidence that where
family programmes fit into a strategic approach at local
authority level, there are greater opportunities for parents
to progress into other learning provision.
- For an interesting article with tips on running a family
literacy class in a school setting, visit www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/tutors/expertcolumn/family
The Department for Education and Skills has websites
for both parents and teachers:
- The Parent Centre is for all parents and carers who
want to help their children to learn - visit www.parentscentre.gov.uk
- Teachernet has a section that aims to help schools
and teachers understand how to work with parents effectively
and why it is important to do so - visit www.teachernet.gov.uk
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