Family Literacy Resource Suggestions For a Take-Home Kit
Prepared by: Tara Williston, Summer Cataloguer and MLIS Candidate, UBC Last update: September 4, 2007
Here are some great resources to put in a take-home family literacy kit for children and parents or caregivers. You will find information on how to locate or purchase the resource. If you would like to borrow resources before purchasing, some are available for loan, by mail, from the Literacy BC Provincial Literacy Resource Centre at no cost. For more family literacy resources, don’t forget to check our resource lists and library catalogue at http://www2.literacy.bc.ca/Rescentr.htm We would love to hear about resources you think should be added to this list!
READ234 Learning Hotline – 1-888-READ-234 (1-888-732-3234) A sensitive referral service with details on how to access literacy programs or services (for adults, families or children) throughout BC. Interpretation services are available.
Available: Brochures about Literacy BC’s services are available by calling toll-free in BC 1-888-READ-234 (732-3234) or 604-684-0624 or email info@literacy.bc.ca.
The State of Learning in Canada: No Time for Complacency, a report by the Canadian Council on Learning. (Ottawa: CCL, 2006.) Key information about literacy challenges faced by adults, facts and information parents and caregivers should know, and good background reading for family literacy practitioners. Could easily be broken down into more “readable” fact sheets to be included in family literacy kits. Of particular note: Chapter 2: Early Childhood Learning and Chapter 6: Canada’s Literacy Challenge.
Family Literacy Resource Notebook, by Connie Sapin and Nancy D. Padak. (Kent, OH: Ohio Literacy Resource Center, 1998.) The first chapter, “What is Family Literacy?”, contains a variety of helpful definitions of family literacy.
Early Learning Canada Participant Resource, by Learning & Reading Partners Adult Learning System (& others). (Ottawa: CCCF & LRPALS, 1999).
Divided into compact, 2-page early learning “topics”, with each topic containing information on children’s cognitive development and simple activity suggestions to stimulate that area. Very practical instructions with plenty of examples to parents on what to say, what to do, how to structure activities and encourage their children in their learning. Contains activities applicable to children of various ages, from babies to grade school.
Family Literacy Day – Parents & Families Section (ABC Canada) Resources and information for parents and families for everyday family literacy activities or the celebrating Family Literacy Day. Online resources or order materials such as stickers, posters, tip sheets, etc.
LAPS (Literacy And Parenting Skills) Manuals & Products, by Elaine Cairns and Laureen MacKenzie (Calgary: Bow Valley College, 1996.) and A-LAPS (The Aboriginal Literacy and Parenting Skills) Of possible interest to family literacy practitioners interested in using/learning from the LAPS approach. LAPS manuals contain facilitators' instructions, participants' handouts, and an outline of 10 to 12 - 2 1/2 hour sessions (which may be used sequentially or as stand-alone 'lessons'). Topics covered by these sessions include: Building Self-Esteem in Your Children, Communication and Listening Skills, Conflict Management, Ages and Stages, and more.
Special Relationships: How families learn together, by Maureen Banbury.(Leicester, UK: NIACE, 2005) Aimed at family learning program managers and practitioners, this small volume is nevertheless concise and easy to understand and may be of interest to caregivers. It is built around short descriptions of various family learning programs, with many informative quotes from both parents and kids of all ages and backgrounds. Provides excellent insights into the types of activities parents can do with children and the learning benefits involved for all.
UK and international studies on early literacy findings / kids’ reading habits + preferences Key facts and information parents and caregivers should know; also good background reading for family literacy practitioners. Could easily be broken down into more “readable” fact sheets to be included in family literacy kits.
The Impact of Parental Involvement in Children’s Education. A leaflet produced by the UK’s Department for Children, Schools and Families. 2003.
Clear summaries ofresearch into parental involvement and its effects on children’s school and life success.
Help Your Children to Learn: Making the Most of Time with Your Child. A booklet written by a parent-support group and produced by the UK’s Department for Children, Schools and Families. 200-?
An easy-to-read guide with practical suggestions on how to incorporate learning activities into daily family life.
Speech and Language Development Fact Sheet. Produced by the Canadian Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists. Ottawa: CASLPA, 2000.
Written in accessible language, a 1-page fact sheet briefly describing normal speech and language development. Includes simple behaviour parents can practise to encourage healthy speech and language development in their kids and warning signs parents should watch out for. Available: http://www.caslpa.ca/PDF/fact%20sheets/school%20age%20speech%20and%20language.pdf
CASLPA also publishes a range of glossy postcard-sized fact sheets available for sale. Titles include: Speech & Language Development for Babies and Preschoolers, Hearing Health for Children, Speech & Language Development of School Aged Children, Adult Hearing Impairments, Adult Communication Disorders, Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists - Who we are and what we do. Available: http://www.caslpa.ca/english/resources/factsheets.asp#caslpafact Very reasonably priced at $0.35 each.
A Good Beginning: Enjoying your baby’s first year, by Barbara S. Lewis & Cheri Bladholm (ill.). (Syracuse: New Readers Press, 1990)
In an innovative calendar format that families can hang on their wall for easy reference, this activity book features 2-page spreads of activity ideas for babies during each 2-month period of their first year (birth to 1 month, 2-3 months, etc.). Plain language instructions with illustrations. Bonus final pages include lyrics of popular nursery rhymes and space to record baby’s milestones.
Learning Games for Infants and Toddlers by Dr. J. Ronald Lally & Dr. Ira Gordon. (Syracuse: New Readers Press, 1977)
An older publication, but still relevant. Many tried and true games for engaging baby and stimulating cognitive, social, and physical development. Clear, plain language instructions including illustrations make this book easy for caregivers to follow.
This Little Piggy by Jane Yolen & Will Hillenbrand. (Cambridge, MA: Candlewick, 2006) An attractive, easy-to-read collection of nursery rhymes, songs and fingerplays to do with babies and toddlers, divided into sections based on the child’s age. Includes a CD of selected tracks caregivers can sing along with.
What’ll I Do with the Baby-O? by Jane Cobb. (Vancouver: Black Sheep Press, 2007)
An anthology of nursery rhymes and songs to sing with babies and toddlers. Also contains explanations on the importance of oral storytelling and reading with young children for their literacy development. Includes a CD of 36 of the book’s songs to help caregivers sing along. Aimed at librarians and preschool teachers, parents will still find this resource to be full of useful activities.
Early Literacy: A Resource for Teachers by Saskatchewan Education. (Regina: 2005) Despite a somewhat unappealing layout and out-of-date format, this guide for teachers contains lots of useful information and activities that can be easily adapted for use by families (or visiting family literacy practitioners) with preschool to grade 1 children. Of particular note are the following sections: Foundations of Early Literacy Development (chart); Developmental Continuum; Language Experience Approach; Reading for Enjoyment; Reading to Children Daily; Responding to Literature; Learning from Books; Phonemic Awareness Sample Checklist; General Listening Activities; Phonemic Awareness Activities; References and Selected Bibliography.
Help Your Children to Learn: A Guide to Supporting Reading for Parents of Primary School Children and Help Your Children to Learn: A Guide to Supporting Reading for Parents of Secondary School Children. Booklets written by the UK’s National Literacy Trust in collaboration with parents in several regions; produced by the Department for Children, Schools and Families. 200-?
For each short section about kids and reading, gives many practical ideas which are divided up into “Instant ideas” (quick gestures parents can easily start using to encourage their children’s reading) and “Try making time to…” (more involved, ongoing activities families can implement over time).
Helping Your Child Learn to Read: A Parent’s Guide,by Ontario Early Reading Strategy. (Toronto: Ontario Ministry of Education, 200?) Great document for caregivers or literacy practitioners – contains many handy tip sheets on different reading sub-topics, such as: Read Every Day, Talk About Books, Set an Example, etc. Tips are practical, achievable goals for busy families. Language is simple and clear without being condescending.
LEAP BC, a 2010 Legacies Now initiative Offers various programs and publications, including: Move with Me from Birth to Three Family Resource and HOP – Health Opportunities for Preschoolers Resource (available in versions for families and child care providers).
Newsletter of The Centre for Family Literacy (Edmonton) Several times yearly, Alberta’s Centre for Family Literacy publishes newsletters full of family literacy news. Each includes a “Staff Picks” section with recommended books for school-aged kids (as well as babies and preschoolers). The Centre’s website also has an extensive list of very moderately priced resources available for purchase from them, ideal for use by families or literacy practitioners. Items available include information kits, an awareness-raising video, a CD of songs and rhymes, and many free brochures and reports to download.
Contact Literacy BC to borrow these and other resources:
Telephone: 604-684-0624 or toll free in BC: 1-888-732-3234. Fax: 604-684-8520
Email: library@literacy.bc.ca
