The following resources are recommended in addition to those described in the section about program models.
Bernhard, Judith K., Marlinda Freire, Vicki Mulligan. Canadian Parenting Workshops:
Preparing Children for School Success. Toronto, ON: Chestnut Pub. Group, 2004.
Parents are encouraged to become actively involved in the education of their children through participating
in workshops where they gain information, skills, and support to assist them in caring for their children.
Parenting approaches that support children’s social and emotional development, self-control, and selfconfi
dence are highlighted.
Family Centre for Kingston Literacy. RAPP (v. 1-4). Kingston, ON: Kingston Literacy, 2000.
RAPP is intended to help literacy organizations introduce a family literacy component to their existing
programs. The resource collection is available in four thematic volumes: The Spring and Fall Collection,
The Winter and Summer Collection, The Classics Collection and The Holidays Collection. Each volume
includes reading and language hints, poetry, and activities based on a selection of quality children’s
books. Each volume can also be used separately.
Gianola, Ann. Easy Stories Plus Readings and Activities for Language Skills. Syracuse, NY:
New Readers Press, 2001.
------. From Home to School: Stories and Activities for Parents. Syracuse, NY: New Readers
Press, 2003.
These two kits contain teacher’s guides, student readers and workbooks for adult learners or ESL learners
in family literacy programs. They would be easy to incorporate into existing programs that have previously
focused on children’s learning needs. The materials help adult learners develop reading fl uency and invite
meaningful interaction related to common concerns parents have about school-related issues. Activities
based on each story help parents gain a deeper understanding of these issues and provide them with
tools for making decisions that will nurture their children’s development.
Kilbride, Kenise Murphy. Forging New Ties, Planting New Roots: A Guide to Canadian
Resources for Immigrant Parents of Young Children. Toronto, ON: Ryerson Press, 2005.
This manual is a valuable resource for sharing with newcomer families. Based on a research project of
the School of Early Childhood Education, Ryerson University, it provides links and explanations about the
people, places and programs that can assist them in the areas of education, health, childcare and child
safety, and observing traditions and cultural heritage in Canada. Free copies and a video are available
from Ryerson in Amharic, Dari, English, French, Mandarin, Somali, Twi, and Urdu.
Mates, Cathy. Help Your Child Get into Reading!: A Family Literacy Manual. Belleville, ON:
Quinte Literacy Group, 1995.
Setting up a Family Literacy program will be much easier to do with the use of this resource. This manual
gives practical suggestions and learning experiences for parents and their children up to 5 years of age.
Thirty weekly themes are listed along with songs, finger plays and craft ideas. Information on locating
space, choosing books and fund-raising is also included.