Values in family literacy
It is important for every agency involved in family literacy to develop a set of
values upon which to build an effective program. This is the list of values that
guides AFLO:
- We believe in lifelong learning.
- Parents and other family members play a vital and natural role as their
children’s first and most important teachers. Family literacy programs support
family members in this vital role to the benefit of families and communities.
- Literacy-and numeracy-building activities between parents and their children
better prepare children for success in school. In teaching their children, adults
also learn.
- Health agencies, parent resource centres, early childhood education centres,
libraries, schools, and adult literacy agencies, as well as storytellers, musicians
and many other people and groups in society enhance lifelong learning within
the family.
- Communities benefit when service providers work together to offer
comprehensive and integrated family literacy programming. This may include
responding to local needs such as adult literacy, first and second-language
literacy, pre-school groups, families of school-age children, challenged
learners, and at-risk and vulnerable families.
- Access to appropriate services for diverse communities is critical.
- Training and support for family literacy providers is essential.
- The process of evaluation improves the quality and effectiveness of programs.
Evaluation results add to the body of information about the field of family
literacy.
- Lifelong learning requires sustainable funding to ensure positive, long-term
outcomes for families.
