Foundational Training for Family Literacy

July 2004 Workshop Report
By Lorri Sauv é and Lesley Brown

The Ontario Literacy Coalition was pleased to be able to coordinate the Foundational Training for Family Literacy that ran for 6 days from July 23 to 28, 2004. Twenty-five delegates from across Ontario gathered in Barrie, Ontario to attend this event. They represented a cross section of family literacy, adult literacy and early childhood development practitioners. The delegates were accepted to the Institute with the understanding that they commit to develop a work plan that would outline how they intended to promote and support family literacy in their respective communities upon returning home from the training.

Each day delegates heard from a number of facilitators and presenters. Anne Ramsay of the Project READ Literacy Network delivered the opening address, highlighting the importance of linking adult literacy, family literacy, and early childhood education. At this initial meeting, the five main facilitators talked about their dreams for family literacy in Ontario and highlighted that they would be asking the delegates to be reflective practitioners throughout this entire conference.

On Saturday, delegates were given a lot of information to discuss and digest regarding Understanding Family Literacy. Margaret Maynard and Penny Smith-Jensen co-facilitated this module and gave the delegates time to determine a definition for family literacy. On Sunday, delegates participated in Understanding Emergent Literacy co-facilitated by Penny and Margaret and Understanding Children and Their Development, co-facilitated by Susan Switzer and Kathie Notwell. Here delegates took part in an activity called "Power Flower" and came away with a different perspective on what power means in our society, and ways in which family literacy programs should consider this in their program planning. Sunday evening, Ningwakwe (Priscilla George), joined us to discuss Aboriginal Literacy, highlighting the importance of factors not traditionally recognized in the learning and growing process such as the spirit and heart.

Monday, the Dynamics of Working with Parents and Working with Families in a Family Literacy Setting were the next two presentations. Susan and Kathie co-facilitated the morning session and Penny and Kathie the afternoon's. Mary Reynolds from AlphaPlus Centre was the luncheon speaker. She talked about the various family literacy resources available on loan from the AlphaPlus Centre. Monday evening, Rob McBride from the National Film Board detailed an interesting project called "Talespinners." This project has Canadian Children's authors' books translated to video in addition to family literacy activities. Robert Munch is one of the four authors included in this project.

Tuesday morning modules included "Working with Communities" and "Evaluating Family Literacy Projects." Lorri Sauve and Margaret co-facilitated the first one and Sue and Lorri co-facilitated the second module. In the late afternoon, Joanne Kaatari from Community Literacy Ontario led a discussion surrounding the next steps for Foundational Training in Family Literacy that included both on-line and face-to-face examples.

The final day, Best Practices, was co-facilitated by the Institute participants and the facilitators. The facilitators gave a brief overview of the Best Practices in Family Literacy and then watched as the delegates put best practices into context. All participants did an amazing and creative job of capturing the best practices of family literacy. All the delegates were awarded for their hard work with certificates from the Centre for Literacy in Edmonton, Alberta. The Institute's evaluations were very positive, with many participants expressing the experience of paradigm shifts and many "ah hah" moments. It is our hope that what falls out of the Institute is that "family literacy becomes an integral part of every community, something that is as accepted and accessible as going to school."

This training was made possible by generous funding from the National Literacy Secretariat, and the expertise and commitment of the following certified trainers: Susan Barry, Margaret Maynard, Kathie Notwell, Penny Smith-Jensen, Susan Switzer and Lorri Sauve. The planning for this important event was undertaken by dedicated committee members that included: Alimany Bangura, Margaret Maynard, Sue McCormack, Susan Switzer, Adele Thomas and Lorri Sauve.