“Come and check it out!”

“I like the social environment.”

“Go and listen and learn.”

“Be ready to share ideas.”

“Classes were relaxing.”

These words of recommendation from those who have attended sessions of a new program in Calgary, called Literacy and Parenting Skills (L.A.P.S.), summarize the essence of the program -- information, new skills, and support! Parents who wish to support children’s literacy development, discuss relevant parenting topics, and look at their own literacy level, will love L.A.P.S.

L.A.P.S., two manuals designed to provide literacy and parenting skills to those who wish them, are now available to literacy and parenting coordinators throughout Alberta. Easy reading materials built around a potpourri of parenting topics have been adapted to strengthen the literacy skills of parents and to provide effective literacy strategies for modeling to children.

The fourteen topics provide a range from safety to discipline and building self-esteem in our children. The two manuals developed, one for English-as-a-first-language populations, and the other for English-as-a-second-language (E.S.L.) populations from diverse cultures, address issues of concern to the target group and are intended to be tailored to the needs of any given group. Throughout the development process, a period of three years, a great deal of attention has been given to the parenting interests and literacy requirements of those who might benefit from the program. Consideration has also been given to the formats offered; the E.S.L. manual, for example, utilizes cross- cultural approaches and is culturally sensitive.

Both manuals include: a facilitator guide, parenting sessions that incorporate activities, handouts and corresponding children’s resources, and sample evaluation tools, certificates, and a general resource list. A third manual for Aboriginal populations is expected to be ready in the winter of 1998.

L.A.P.S., a program funded through the National Literacy Secretariat and the Language Training Department of Alberta Advanced Education, is a collaborative effort involving many individuals and agencies designed under the leadership of Laureen MacKenzie and Elaine Cairns of Alberta Vocational College - B.E.A.D. (Basic Education Alternative Delivery) Department in Calgary.

** Training Sessions on LAPS have been offered in Calgary in the Fall/Winter of 96/97, and they will be offered throughout Canada during the Fall/Winter 97/98 to those who wish to facilitate L.A.P.S. **

For further information, please contact Laureen MacKenzie or Elaine Cairns, co-project managers and co-authors of the Literacy and Parenting Skills Program, Alberta Vocational College - Calgary, 332-6th Avenue SE, Calgary AB T2G 4S6, Tel. (403) 297-4778, Fax (403) 297-4081.