We have reached the midpoint of our journey as we have completed 4 of the 8 scheduled sessions for the National Strategy for Early Literacy. To summarize a successful day here in Fredericton our moderator, Randy Boissonault, discussed the variety of presentations seen and added to his “Four C’s” principle. Watch the video:
Our facilitator just closed our Halifax session with an inspiring and thought-provoking poem. Watch the video:
Our final formal presentation of the day here in Halifax just finished, and it was a wonderful way to conclude the day. Kay Desborough spoke on behalf of the Mi’Kmaw Kina’Matnewey community and told the group about some of the wonderful programs that have been established, specifically in the past 5 years. Before retiring and volunteering in this community Kay worked in education and health, two fields that she feels lend themselves to partnership with family literacy development.
Her work focuses on families and bringing literacy and language awareness to them early in life, especially in the first 5 years when learning is so critical. Kay described a number of programs that have been working in this community as well as some that she and her colleagues hope to implement during the coming years.
Watch Kay’s presentation:
Currently speaking is Carol McDougall, who represents the Read to Me! Nova Scotia Family Literacy Program. Read to Me! is a program that ensures that parnets and babies are given literacy kits at the hospital within 24 hours of birth. This encourages parents to begin to read to their children right from the start, which in turn develops positive habits and routines.
The Read to Me! program is a great example of positive programming happening at the grassroots level in the Nova Scotia community. Watch a short clip from Carol’s presentation below.
We just heard a wonderful personal story from Erica Baker, Ph.D., Registered Psychologist, Ann Krane & Associates Limited. Erica has a wealth of professional expertise to share in the areas of language and literacy, but was present to discuss her own personal experience with the development of her sons’ language and literacy skills. Her family has experienced both ends of the spectrum in regards to language development and received fantastic support from community organizations which led to successful intervention for your younger son.
Please see this wonderful clip from Edmonton’s City TV newscast!!!!
Other media coverage from Edmonton included a visit from CBC Radio, CBC Television (French), NAIT Newswatch and an interview with CBC Radio-Canada. Check below for links to some of the coverage:
Edmonton Examiner - Literacy consultation session passes through city
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