Clare Family Learning Project National Literacy Awareness Week National Library of Ireland, Dublin Mary Flanagan Family Learning Co-ordinator 23 rd September 2009 The County Clare VEC Clare Adult Basic Education Service is funded by the Department of Education and Science with assistance from the European Social Fund as part of the National Development Plan

Parental involvement in a child’s literacy practices is a more powerful force than other family background variables, such as social class, family size and level of parental education ( Flouri and Buchanan 2004)

Clare VEC Structure Adult Basic Education Department of Education Vocational Education Committee Adult Literacy Organiser Adult Education CentreSecond level schools Adult Education Officer Basic SkillsEnglish Language Family Learning Workplace Co-ordinator Tutors

What is family learning? Family learning is an umbrella term which describes a wide variety of educational intervention programmes that have an intergenerational focus in their design and delivery Family learning is an umbrella term which describes a wide variety of educational intervention programmes that have an intergenerational focus in their design and delivery

Family learning: Family learning: identifies the home as a learning placeidentifies the home as a learning place recognises the role of parents’ as natural teachers in the homerecognises the role of parents’ as natural teachers in the home emphasises intergenerational teaching and learningemphasises intergenerational teaching and learning builds links between home,builds links between home, school and community school and community encourages parents to becomeencourages parents to become lifelong learners lifelong learners

Family learning Programme types include parent only models, parent-child models, models including the wider family circleProgramme types include parent only models, parent-child models, models including the wider family circle Locations include adult education centres, schools, libraries, community centres etc.Locations include adult education centres, schools, libraries, community centres etc.

A simple formula for family learning Create a positive learning environment Create a positive learning environment Start where the learners are at/build on their experience Start where the learners are at/build on their experience Guide parents to identify and develop opportunities for learning in and around the home Guide parents to identify and develop opportunities for learning in and around the home Support parents to develop strategies for extending their children’s literacy and numeracy skills Support parents to develop strategies for extending their children’s literacy and numeracy skills Foster parents’ own interest in lifelong learning Foster parents’ own interest in lifelong learning

Family learning is for all ages Early yearsEarly years Primary schoolPrimary school Second levelSecond level Lifelong learningLifelong learning

Innovative programmes: Weekend Action for Dads and KidsWeekend Action for Dads and Kids Family Stories in a BoxFamily Stories in a Box Traveller Life bookletTraveller Life booklet South Pole Adventures (school initiative)South Pole Adventures (school initiative) Games, Gadgets and MachinesGames, Gadgets and Machines Growing Together – gardeningGrowing Together – gardening Getting ActiveGetting Active Family CookeryFamily Cookery Fun ScienceFun Science

Family learning benefits - parents: positive attitude to their children’s schoolingpositive attitude to their children’s schooling progression onto other learning optionsprogression onto other learning options more confident in coming to classmore confident in coming to class increased interest, willingness and ability to learnincreased interest, willingness and ability to learn increased confidence through small successes - gives hopeincreased confidence through small successes - gives hope wider social networks and friendshipswider social networks and friendships

Family learning benefits - children increased school attendanceincreased school attendance children stay in school longerchildren stay in school longer increased chance of achievement in schoolincreased chance of achievement in school greater cognitive competencegreater cognitive competence positive influences on reading achievementpositive influences on reading achievement and attentiveness in the classroom and attentiveness in the classroom greater social and emotional developmentgreater social and emotional development

Recommendations for success with family learning: work in collaboration with schools/other partnerswork in collaboration with schools/other partners aim to nurture both parents’ and children’s learningaim to nurture both parents’ and children’s learning use experienced and well trained tutorsuse experienced and well trained tutors anticipate and address barriers (e.g. times, locations, childcare)anticipate and address barriers (e.g. times, locations, childcare) create a relaxed and friendly atmospherecreate a relaxed and friendly atmosphere build on existing knowledge (yours and theirs!)build on existing knowledge (yours and theirs!) use interesting and relevant topicsuse interesting and relevant topics focus on practical activitiesfocus on practical activities

Partnership in family learning involves: Adult education servicesAdult education services SchoolsSchools LibrariesLibraries Community groupsCommunity groups Social servicesSocial services Health Promotion UnitHealth Promotion Unit Mental Health AssociationMental Health Association Local contacts, e.g. through area network meetingsLocal contacts, e.g. through area network meetings

Work in progress Developing family learning programme outlines for publicationDeveloping family learning programme outlines for publication Family learning national/international tutor training in October 2009 (full)Family learning national/international tutor training in October 2009 (full) Member of European Family Learning NetworkMember of European Family Learning Network National quarterly family learning newsletter quarterly family learning newsletter DVD and guide available on requestDVD and guide available on request