You have probably heard the saying “it takes a village to raise a child.” The Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy (CBAL) is part of that village. Children don’t come with a manual; we all know that. No one has all the answers and what works for one family might not work for another. However, no one can or should have to do it alone. Each community within the CBAL area, from Valemount, to the Elk Valley, to Grand Forks, and everything in between has family literacy programs. These programs are designed to help families support learning and development.
Someone once told me she didn’t sign up for a family literacy program because she thought “it would be boring and school-like.” When I heard this I was a bit stunned. But it opened my eyes to what the public might be thinking. Generally, you don’t absorb new ideas or information when you are bored. We at CBAL are well aware of that and are sure to make our family programs “un-boring.”
In my community, you might sing songs, play games, and make snacks at Love 2 Learn. At Lego Lovers, parents and students work on Lego challenges together. At The Parent Network you might discuss your child’s learning and share ideas and experiences with other parents. Each and every family literacy program run by CBAL is interactive and caregiver participation is an important part.
Our executive director, Ali Wassing, has challenged staff to re-evaluate our programs and services and to ensure we are doing what works best, rather than what we have always done. I challenge families to do the same ... be conscious of what you continue to do with your children. Ask yourself if your energy is being best used, or are you just going through the motions of what you have always done? Accept help from the village around you.
CBAL is proud to be part of that village.
Chrisy Hill
Community Literacy Coordinator
Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy - Elk Valley
January 22 – 29 is Family Literacy Week! Check your local CBAL Facebook page for Family Literacy Week events in your community.
Decoda Literacy Solutions has created sheets with Family Literacy Week activities and ideas for you to download and use. You can find them on the Decoda website.
Someone once told me she didn’t sign up for a family literacy program because she thought “it would be boring and school-like.” When I heard this I was a bit stunned. But it opened my eyes to what the public might be thinking. Generally, you don’t absorb new ideas or information when you are bored. We at CBAL are well aware of that and are sure to make our family programs “un-boring.”
In my community, you might sing songs, play games, and make snacks at Love 2 Learn. At Lego Lovers, parents and students work on Lego challenges together. At The Parent Network you might discuss your child’s learning and share ideas and experiences with other parents. Each and every family literacy program run by CBAL is interactive and caregiver participation is an important part.
Our executive director, Ali Wassing, has challenged staff to re-evaluate our programs and services and to ensure we are doing what works best, rather than what we have always done. I challenge families to do the same ... be conscious of what you continue to do with your children. Ask yourself if your energy is being best used, or are you just going through the motions of what you have always done? Accept help from the village around you.
CBAL is proud to be part of that village.
Chrisy Hill
Community Literacy Coordinator
Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy - Elk Valley
January 22 – 29 is Family Literacy Week! Check your local CBAL Facebook page for Family Literacy Week events in your community.
Decoda Literacy Solutions has created sheets with Family Literacy Week activities and ideas for you to download and use. You can find them on the Decoda website.
Love 2 Learn program in Castlegar
RSS Feed