National Adult Literacy Database

December 10, 2012

The following story was written by April M., from Kingston, Ontario. April is enrolled in literacy classes at the Salvation Army West Program, with Kingston Literacy & Skills (KL & S).

The Benefits of UPP Online

by April M.

There are lots of benefits to doing the UPP (Upgrading for Parents with Preschoolers) course online. First of all, it is fun being able to share your knowledge with people all over Ontario. I also appreciate being able to talk with our teacher and ask questions in a small classroom. Thirdly, it’s great learning the different ways to give your children a positive and healthy childhood.

Being in a small class where I can talk with our teacher and ask questions is much better for me. I enjoy the small class and doing the course in my literacy classroom, instead of in a large classroom with lots of people. Being online is so much easier than having to drive to another place. All you have to do to get to class is click on the icon and join the class. It is fun and my teacher is great.

With being online you can talk to and share information with people from all over Ontario. You know how you do things but it's amazing how someone from up North does the same things you do only differently. For instance, I learned that people in Kingston "shop" for most of their food, whereas someone from up North "hunts" and has gardens for most of their food.

Learning the different techniques to make learning fun for your children is great. Doing the Moodle exercise teaches you different games you can try with your children to help them with learning. All kinds of things with math using flyers and allowances as well as teaching your children how to find rhyming words is taught through UPP and the Moodle site.

It is never too late to learn how to help your children with their learning. This class has taught me things to help me with my child that I never would have imagined doing. The online UPP course is an amazing learning experience for all ages and types of parents. I encourage all parents of preschoolers to take this course.

[This story was taken with permission from Words Worth, Winter 2011-2012, published by Kingston Literacy & Skills (KL & S).]