By Pamela Quirke, Family Learning Resource Worker

“The earlier parents become involved in their children’s literacy practices, the more profound the results and the longer-lasting the effects.” (Mullis, Mullis, Cornille et al., 2004)

The ‘My Early Years’ Family Learning pilot programme was a collaboration between Templemore Library and Tipperary ETB tutors and resource workers, for parents/guardians of preschool children aged 0-4 years.

The idea of this program was to invite parents/guardians to join in a weekly guided session with their child to promote literacy through an interactive class guided by the Family Learning approach to developing programmes.

So, what is ‘My Early Years’ about?

• Affirming what parents are already doing at home as valuable (valuing and building on existing home literacies),
• Encouraging parents to become involved in their child’s education at an early age,
• And helping parents to develop strategies for extending their children’s emergent literacy and numeracy skills (Intergenerational learning).

Here are some photos of the classes in action at Templemore Library, a great place to learn and socialise with preschool children, introducing them to literacy in a safe welcoming space.

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