Spring Training in Vermilion

Heather MacMillan

Spring has sprung in Vermilion and facilitators Lori Wilhelm and Lori-Ann Stenhouse are half way through the first program of the year - the LAPS program. The group has become very close and discussions surrounding the topics of building self-esteem in our children; talking so children understand and positive disciplining are great. There is a mix of parents with school age children and parents with young toddlers, and a common topic of discussion is setting and accomplishing goals as a full time stay-at-home parent. Before having children, participants were able to set and accomplish goals at their work, and now they feel like nothing ever gets done.

The group has been very supportive, and the facilitators feel they can really participate in the discussions rather than lead them. Lori is reminding participants of using "I" statements and Lori-Ann is concentrating on turning negatives into positives wherever she can. The mix of parenting topics and literacy skill building activities is a hit with all who participate. Both facilitators are noticing the discussion more often than not ends up about the family as a whole. Some of the parents have returned as graduates of a program offered a couple of years ago; they were very impressed by what they came away with and wanted more! The facilitators predict this group will remain close after the session is completed.

CLASS recently hosted the LAPS training in Vermilion and the Evening Rhyme Time facilitator, Kerrie McGuckin, mentioned that the training helped her in her efforts to reach a new-to-Vermilion mom in the spring session. She felt very comfortable with her new skills. In a Rhyme Time training last week, there were many facilitators interested in LAPS, so we may have to bring Laureen and Elsie back! All in all, we have nothing but the best to say about LAPS. We look forward to working with LAPS trainers to ensure another community in our region can offer LAPS programming in the near future.

Another ice breaker - Fantasy Literacy Island

This ice breaker submitted by Leona Harasym is a great way to have fun, while sharing ideas freely in a group training session. This activity will help literacy practitioners get in touch with participants' feelings about literacy and what is important to them in literacy programs. It also provides the opportunity for participants to get to know each other.

Materials: large construction paper, markers or crayons and scissors.

Activity: Participants are told to create an island with their paper. The island is their creation; it is what they idealize as a literacy centre. They can have anything they want on it (eg. Free childcare on the island during literacy programs, better funding, whatever they envision). Encourage the group to be creative and draw images of anything they would like to have on their "Fantasy Literacy Island".

After the drawing is finished (allow 10 minutes), participants pair-off and share their ideas together. Following this discussion, provide another 5 – 10 minutes as pairs are invited to share the similarities OR differences of their literacy programs / islands with the group. The islands can then be displayed for all participants to look at more closely during breaks. This is a great way to get people talking about literacy dreams and reality…