For 2 years in high school, I got involved with an activity in Peel called Family Literacy Program. What was intriguing to me was teaching young toddlers and infants (ages 0-6) the basics of literacy even if they were non-verbal at the time. Early literacy begins not only with the child, but also with the parents.
This was my first time working with such a young age group and I found myself to be very nervous and unsure about what to expect. On top of which, the other volunteers I was working with were all adults and many had children of their own to draw experiences upon. The program was in a centralized location in Mississauga in which volunteers lead the workshops each week with no supervision. Looking back, I think this experience really boosted my confidence levels and allowed me a rare chance to work with very young children. In the workshops, we made up rhymes, read books, made cards, and even performed skits based on topics that the participants chose. The goal of the 10 week program was to teach parents how to introduce literacy to their children at an early age and for the children to develop self-interest in literacy. After all, the best type of learning are those that are self-guided in order to arouse curiosity and motivation. This experience was also one which allowed me to work with those who may not be as fortunate as others. Volunteers were provided with gift cards which were used to buy healthy snacks (fruits, yogurt, water, granola bars etc.) to supply the families and provide education on the best types of brain food. It is so difficult reversing the cycle of poverty, yet so easy to incorporate these lessons into my own lessons so awareness can be brought forth, which ultimately can lead to change.
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AuthorHi! Thanks for taking the time to read about my journey. I hope you can take something from my experiences and share yours in return. Don't be shy! Archives
September 2021
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