By Pamela Quirke, Family Learning Resource Worker
“The earlier parents become involved in their children’s literacy practices, the more profound the results and the longer-lasting the effects.” (Mullis, Mullis, Cornille et al., 2004)
The ‘My Early Years’ Family Learning pilot programme was a collaboration between Templemore Library and Tipperary ETB tutors and resource workers, for parents/guardians of preschool children aged 0-4 years.
The idea of this program was to invite parents/guardians to join in a weekly guided session with their child to promote literacy through an interactive class guided by the Family Learning approach to developing programmes.
So, what is ‘My Early Years’ about?
- Affirming what parents are already doing at home as valuable (valuing and building on existing home literacies),
- Encouraging parents to become involved in their child’s education at an early age,
- And helping parents to develop strategies for extending their children’s emergent literacy and numeracy skills (Intergenerational learning).
Here are some photos of the classes in action at Templemore Library, a great place to learn and socialise with preschool children, introducing them to literacy in a safe welcoming space.
