Parents, kids connect through reading

BY NADINE ARMSTRONG

The Hants Journal

NovaNewsNow.com

Over the past year, dozens of Hants County parents and their children have become a little closer and smarter thanks to the Hants Early Learners and Parents in Partnership (HELPP) family literacy program. On April 28, participants and program partners assembled at the Windsor Library to celebrate their successes.

Now in its third year, the Hants Learning Network (HLN) program offers parents a venue to sit and read with their child. Four schools in Hants West and Hantsport, including Newport Station, Three Mile Plains and Windsor Forks Schools, partnered to facilitate the program.

Parents who participated met regularly over 20 sessions and learned some tips on how to enjoy reading and writing with their children. They also earned quality children’s books for their at-home library.

All about connections

The Windsor Library partnered with the program as well by hosting Talk! Sing! Read! at the library and two community sites: the Adult Learning Centre in Windsor and the Hants Shore Clinic in Summerville. Parents and children aged 3-5 came together to explore children’s literature and discover ways to involve children in reading activities. “This program is all about connections,” says HLN Coordinator Karen Ferguson. “The connection between parent and child; books and school; communities; libraries; wherever lifelong learning takes you.”

She said studies suggest that when families spend time on literary activities their children are more likely to be successful at school, have increased confidence and problem-solving skills.

Special guests at the celebration included facilitators and principals from participating schools as well as Rod Franklin from the Dept. Labour and Workforce Development; Erna Fraser, Elementary Programs Consultant with the AVRSB; and Donna MacGillivray, Adult Education Coordinator with the Department of Labour and Workforce Development.

Both Franklin and Fraser took the opportunity to read out loud to the children that afternoon. Franklin chose passages from his favourite book, The Hobbit while Fraser, joined by her daughter, shared Something for Nothing. “A book is your best friend,” Franklin told participants. “You can take a book with you wherever you go.”

Program partners included the Hants Learning Network Association, Annapolis Valley Regional School Board and the Windsor Library. Funded by the Skills and Learning Branch of the Department of Labour and Workforce Development, HELPP aims to increase literacy awareness, skills and participation by parents/caregivers through engagement in literacy activities at home and at school.