Roving Caregivers Programme to improve Dominica’s literacy competence through family literacy

“Literacy development should be everybody’s business” declared Mrs. Melena Fontaine Coordinator for Special Education in the Ministry of Education as she addressed participants of the two day Family Literacy Training Workshop on Tuesday June 22 and Wednesday June 23. The workshop, facilitated by the Family Learning Programme (FLP) was held at the Public Service Union Building on Valley Road, attracted participants from a wide cross section of the public and private sector. In her address, Mrs. Fontaine emphasised that parents, teachers, early childhood practitioners, caregivers and in fact, the entire island should be on board with this programme. “Literacy is the hub around which all learning evolves” she continued, “We need to implement programmes to help improve the literacy and life skills of our people.”.

“You don’t have to be literate to encourage Family Literacy” highlighted Francis Joseph, Director of ChildFund Caribbean, in his opening address at the function. When a family repeatedly calls the names of items around the house, a child can become literate and learn the names of these objects. “When parents talk, the vocabulary of our children is expanded” continued Mr. Joseph.

An initiative of the Caribbean Child Support Initiative (CCSI), the Family Learning Programme (FLP) is an extension of the informal, early childhood development initiative, the Roving Caregivers Programme (RCP). The workshop was facilitated by family literacy consultant Dr. Joanie Cohen-Mitchell along with Mrs. Fortuna Anthony, the Regional FLP Coordinator. One of the objectives of the workshop, according to Dr. Cohen-Mitchell, was to equip participants with the necessary tools to help improve the literacy competence of families and communities in the Commonwealth of Dominica. Workshop participants received a toolkit containing activities to be incorporated in everyday practice thereby instilling in parents that they are the first and the best teachers of their children.

Family learning, also known as intergenerational learning, is the term used to describe how adults and children learn together. Family literacy, an integral component of family learning, describes the role that reading, writing and numeracy play in family life, both at home and in the community. The Family Learning Programme (FLP) is an attempt at a Caribbean version of family literacy that would extend the goals of the RCP and in addition, support parents’ educational goals. A family learning programme also support matters of child upbringing and family support in both home and community contexts.

Dominicans stand to benefit from the programme as it provides families with the educational opportunity to improve their life skills. The family unit is key in improving literacy. The FLP is centered on empowering family members to be in control of their learning. “It considers the family unit as a place of learning and adds literacy activities to their daily lives,” explained Mrs. Anthony. As such, FLP does not only address the children, but all members of the family no matter its composition. Mr. Joseph appealed for teachers to join the programme for it to be successful.