The PRINTS Program is now almost six years old. It grew out of a study that showed that families and schools were not always on the same "wave length" and frequently misunderstood each other's role. PRINTS was an attempt to bridge the gap between homes and schools. It was clear that there were certain experiences that only homes could effectively provide for children, and certain experiences that only schools could provide. When there was a recognition of what homes provide, and when schools built on these experiences, or when home and school activities were compatible, the chances of a child being successful with reading and writing activities in school were greater.

PRINTS was first piloted at MacMorran Community and Rabbittown Community Centres, St. John's and has continued to be offered at MacMorran Community Centre ever since. After the pilot project, two parents, Juanita McDonald and Kim Foley facilitated the program for other parents. When PRINTS was offered at MacMorran this year, Juanita had other commitments, and another parent, Helena Stevenson co- facilitated the Program with Kim.

The main base for PRINTS in Western Canada is the Regina Early Learning Centre in Regina.

However, PRINTS has spread to many other sites, not only in Newfoundland and Labrador, but also in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. The Program has also been forwarded to interested parties in the United States, Britain, and Finland.

Bill Fagan and mary Cronin

What are the Goals of PRINTS?

The first four goals of PRINTS are:
• To empower parents as early literacy providers,
• To help parents become more aware of the roles they already play and can play in their children's early literacy development,
• To support parents in continuing to develop a home environment which fosters literacy development,
• To provide a basis on which parents and teachers can become effective partners in children's literacy development.

As these goals indicate, parents (or caregivers) are the focus group. These goals are based on the belief that parents are interested in their children and will do the best for their children. We have accepted for some time that parents are the children's first teachers. Parents have significant impact on their children before they enter school. The home and the community must be recognized as key environments in the development of early literacy. We recognize these environments as being rich in support or potential. PRINTS is designed to recognized that support and enhance that potential.

When PRINTS is focused on parents it is NOT about school. PRINTS is NOT about developing a list of information/ skills listed by the school that beginnjng kindergarten children should possess. PRINTS is NOT about providing help for children who may display problems in language learning. Yet PRINTS may be about all of these but only when parents and children and homes and community are seen as having a major role in society in the literacy development of young children. PRINTS is designed to help ALL families in supporting their young children's early literacy development.

Teachers may also use PRINTS activities for young children. In this case, they draw on the resources and context of the classroom in developing these and making them meaningful for the children. Because the activities that teachers and parents would use are similar in intent, this reinforces learning for the children. For example, while the parents may help the child construct an Alphabet House (Activity #14), the teacher may help the children construct an Alphabet School. Research has shown that children up to age 8 who are experiencing difficulties in school can be helped by parents engaging in the activities of the PRINTS Program.