Much has happened since the term ‘family literacy’ was first coined by Denny Taylor in 1983, but the discussion regarding its philosophy and practice remains as lively today as it was then. No longer a new term, family literacy is rapidly gaining acceptance in a number of sectors. This attention can be attributed to the current groundswell of support across Canada for initiatives that will eradicate child poverty, promote healthy child development, support ‘at-risk’ children, encourage school success, and ensure the future economic and social health of our communities. The surprisingly simple message - that early investment in children’s environments and experiences is key to healthy human and community development - has been heard. Everyone is chanting the mantra of $1.00 spent now saves the nation $7.10 later. However, it is important that the emphasis on “child welfare” and “child poverty” does not obscure the fact that children live in and are dependent upon families.  One of the roles of family literacy is to focus attention on the intergenerational transfer of educational benefits from parents to their children. Dollars and community resources achieve “double duty” effects when we “teach the mother to reach the child.” Quality family literacy programs address the learning needs of both parents and children - individually and as a learning unit - while recognizing that parents are the key to long-term, sustainable gains within the family. We know that parents’ educational level, particularly mothers’, is strongly linked to children’s health, school readiness and school achievement. We know that without family involvement, interventions by schools or agencies are less likely to be effective or lasting. We also know that adults have higher attendance rates, stay enrolled longer, and are more successful in family literacy, rather than traditional adult-only, programs. The literacy development of families impacts upon every other area of their lives - health, employment, economic status, and life chances. Family literacy, therefore, encompasses a broad range of issues that are best addressed through collaborations among organizations and agencies who share a common goal: the well-being of families. Family literacy is flourishing in many high quality community initiatives across the country. In response to this encouraging trend, recent provincial and regional projects have highlighted the need to strengthen the position of family literacy by developing a coherent framework for its development and practice in Canada. An inter-provincial Family Literacy Institute, pointedly titled “From Passion to Policy”, was held on Prince Edward Island in November. Similar Family Literacy Institutes have been held in Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia. In Nova Scotia, a Family Literacy Initiatives Endowment Fund was recently established. This new source of funding for family literacy projects is a partnership among the NLS, a private Halifax foundation, and the Nova Scotia Departments of Education and Community Services. Several provinces, including Prince Edward Island and Saskatchewan, have developed long-term strategic plans for family literacy that include a strong emphasis on developing community partnerships. In order to move beyond short-term projects, the Saskatchewan Literacy Network is also developing modularized training, and encouraging local organizations to use a community development approach which will lead to locally sustainable family literacy programming. Manitoba is partnering with libraries, corporations and law enforcement to promote family literacy. In Alberta, an NLS funded partnership project between Prospects Literacy Association, Success by 6 and the University of Alberta is underway to establish a Centre for Family Literacy in Edmonton. Even before it is up and running the Centre is hosting a pilot research-demonstration model of the intensive family literacy program established several years ago in the U.K. A joint NLS funded project of the Canadian Association of Family Resource Programs and the Movement for Canadian Literacy is developing a handbook for family resource program staff who want to learn more about family literacy and explore ways of supporting the literacy development of the children and families they serve. The Family Literacy Directory is available online on NALD. This is a significant step in promoting communication among family literacy initiatives throughout Canada and paving the way for future collaborations. By learning from each other and building upon the excellent work of other Canadian projects, we can avoid the waste of time and resources which result from continually “reinventing the wheel”. The role of family literacy is critical to any policies focussing on child poverty, healthy child development, child and/or adult literacy, and capacity building in families and communities. How do we ensure that family literacy is recognized and included in these policies? Some particularly relevant recommendations include, among others:
It is the year 2000. With these sound recommendations in mind, let us work together towards a national dialogue on family literacy - a dialogue that will move us towards policy that integrates family literacy into all initiatives supporting the health, education, and well-being of families. For information: Janet Shively, FLANS, R.R. # 2, Scotsburn, NS B0K 1R0, Tel./Fax (902) 485-1635, meadow@north.nsis |