Transcript Family Learning in Ireland

Family Learning in Ireland
Mary Flanagan
Co-ordinator
Clare Family Learning Project
Clare Family Learning Project 2009
What is Family Learning?
 Denny Taylor first coined the term ‘Family
Literacy’1983. Literacy happening in the
home
 Andrea Mearing in UK suggested the
phrase Family Learning: 1996. Wider
context including programmes aimed at
disadvantaged parents and their children.
Literacy and numeracy
Clare Family Learning Project 2009
Definition
 Family Learning is an umbrella term
which describes a wide variety of
educational intervention programmes that
have an intergenerational focus in their
design and delivery
 Mainly parent only programmes in Ireland
 Some parent and child together
Clare Family Learning Project 2009
Key Points
 Parents are the first and most natural teachers of
their children
 The home is a very valuable learning place
 The parental involvement on a child’s learning is
eight times more important than any other factor,
such as occupation of parent, in increasing a
child’s achievement in school’(Feinstein and Symons
1999:51)
 Building social networks for parents
 Encouraging parents
to become Lifelong Learners
Clare Family Learning Project 2009
Clare Family Learning was based on
 Basic Skills Agency Articles in Viewpoint
1994
 Visit to Dr. Peter Hannon, Sheffield
University. ORIM framework.
added numeracy
 Kenan Model in Kentucky, USA
 Research by Vygotsky and Bruner
Clare Family Learning Project 2009
Clare
Clare
 Clare recognised the potential of Family
Learning
 Took into account a wider approach
 Emphasis on practical activities, notion of
play
 Likelihood of further participation
Clare Family Learning Project 2009
Clare Family Learning Project
 Responding to parents
requests in 1994
 Piloted programmes
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Emerging skills
Homework help
Moving on
Developed Pack 2000
National Dissemination
using Tutor Training
 Funding
– Department of
Education
– International Year of
the Family
– Private US foundation
– EU Horizon, Integra
Clare Family Learning Project 2009
Range of Programmes in Clare
 Parents of 0-7 year
 Dads and Lads Sport
olds
 Dads and Lads Science
 Parents of Primary
 Active Citizenship
children
 Storysacks
 Parents of 2nd level
 Quilts and Books
children, First Years
 FL and Irish
 2 locally developed
 Supporting Your First
FETAC Level 3
Year Child’s Maths
modules Family
 Family Health
Learning
Clare Family Learning Project 2009
Family Learning in Ireland
 Working Together Approaches to Family Literacy : 2004
 Vocational Education Committees VECs
 Area Development Management ADMs
 Home School Community Liaison Teachers
 Lifestart Project - various counties
 Read to Succeed - various counties
 Banagher Project - Transition to 2nd Level
 Libraries - Storybags - various counties
 Community Development
Initiatives
Clare Family Learning Project 2009
Who Benefits?
 2 for 1 Strategy: Parent and Child
 3 for 1 Strategy: Parent, Child and
Community
Clare Family Learning Project 2009
Outcomes for Learners
 Positive attitude to their children’s
schooling - increasing childrens’ chance of
achievement in school, staying in school
 Progression onto other options
 More confident in coming to class
 Increased interest, willingness and ability
to learn
 Building confidence through small
successes - gives hope
 Good social networks
and
Clare Family Learning
Projectfriendships
2009
Barriers for learners attending
 Negative experiences of education to date
 Difficult home life
 Extreme poverty
 Lack of confidence
 Fear
 Shift work
 Lack of childminding facilities
 Costs
Clare Family Learning Project 2009
What makes a Family Learning
Programme Successful?
 Partnership
 Informal / non formal structure
 Interesting topics - Meeting the needs of groups
 Building on existing knowledge of learners
 Practical activities
 Nurturing parents learning then they in turn can
help their children learn
 Experienced and well trained tutors
 Flexible provision, times, locations
Clare Family Learning Project 2009
The Clare Family Learning Project
Family
Literacy
1994
• Small
booklet
produced
• Pilots run
countywide
• Focus on
early years
Family
Learning
2000
Wider Family
Learning
2007
• Family Learning
Pack produced
• Huge potential
for growth
• Wide variety of
programmes to meet
the diverse needs of
our learning
community
• To reach those
least likely to
engage in
education
• Portable,
affordable and
adaptable
Clare Family Learning Project 2009
• New
developments
Partnership
 Schools recognise the benefits of parental
involvement
 Community groups: Use of premises, Use
FL tutors, can provide link people
 Health Service Executive: PFLAG
 Social Services: Social Workers
 Libraries: Use of premises
 Network meetings used to promote work
 Common Denominator is Family Learning
Clare Family Learning Project 2009
Government Recognition
 White Paper Learning for Life :2000 -
innovative way of delivering adult education
 Oireachtas Report :2006 -Recommends
dedicated Family Learning Budget
 Towards 2016:2006 - Provision of learning
opportunities for vulnerable groups, disadvantaged
communities. Measures to increase retention in
school, and reduce literacy, numeracy problems.
Clare Family Learning Project 2009
Recommendations
 Identify best practice and disseminate
 Retain non formal flexibility, positive experiences
 Ability to respond to local needs
 Respect for where learners are at
 Build further links with schools
 Develop Family Learning programme to support
parents of special needs children
 Continue to train tutors nationally
 Develop resources for range of FL courses
 Empower parents to choose learning, not impose it
Clare Family Learning Project 2009
Wider Benefits of FL
 Likelihood of continuation in education
 Increased parent child interaction on
literacy and numeracy activities
 FL now linked with English Language for
Parents of Primary and Second Level
 Cultural Integration of Migrants
 More active citizens in communities
Clare Family Learning Project 2009
Vision for Family Learning
 Parents attracted to it naturally
 Extend promotion of programmes (start small)
 National quarterly family learning
newsletter: www.clarefamilylearning.org
– to bring together Family Learning best practice,
resources, materials and events
 Clare Tutor Training check under news
Clare Family Learning Project 2009