Supporting families’ diversities and differences

Ask yourself how these statements apply to your program.

Our family literacy program …

1. recognizes and respects that everyone learns differently, and everyone is influenced by their unique experiences.
2. provides appropriate support to families who come to the program and have:
   • diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds
   • diverse first languages
   • non-traditional families
   • regional differences (urban and rural)
   • low-incomes or are homeless
   • negative prior educational experiences
   • low literacy levels
   • different ages
   • physical challenges
   • developmental challenges and learning disabilities
   • multiple intelligences and learning styles ^{Footnote 12}
3. has staff and volunteers who:
   • are trained in equity issues so they can empower all participants by validating and building on their unique experiences and perspectives
   • are trained and experienced in communicating effectively with people of all backgrounds and abilities
   • are representative of the cultures and minority groups in the community
   • speak the languages of the community
   • use language that is clear, inclusive and respectful
   • establish relationships with participating families and learn as much as they can about their cultural backgrounds and life circumstances
   • model appropriate ways for participants to support people with physical and mental challenges
   • know when to offer participants support and when to encourage self-reliance
4. provides learning materials and activities that represent and support a range of diversity including:
   • materials showing visible minorities and people with physical disabilities in positive ways
   • books with meaningful stories about diverse families and living conditions
   • toys and play equipment from different parts of the world
   • dolls and puppets representing people of various ethnic backgrounds and physical abilities
   • music from around the world
   • musical instruments from different cultures
   • materials for open-ended storytelling
   • posters with information translated into various languages
   • materials at appropriate literacy levels for participants

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