Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
Children and parents across the Capital are turning the page in the way they address literacy
skills. The National Capital Centre for Literacy Research
at the University of Canberra focuses on teaching parents how to teach their children to read.
Through the training that I effectively got as a parent I was able to learn to chill out
a bit and to soften my approach with things. To change the focus that I previously had.
The centre offers a variety of programs aimed at improving how literacy and reading skills
are taught in the home, as well as in school. The U-can read program helps develop students'
literacy skills by giving parents an understanding of how children learn to read and write.
We start off teaching parents to understand how reading works, but part of the reading
process is to also know about spelling, about writing, about all the other aspects of literacy
because often the child who's struggling is also struggling in those areas as well.
It's a real compliment to what's going on in the schools. But I think it's a step above
what's going on in the schools with that one on one especially it means that they get a
lot of help and they become empowered and also the parents learn how to help the children
as well. The program helps to engage children in reading
and make it an enjoyable experience. It's fun because you learn stuff sometimes.
Reading is all about enjoyment and understanding what you're reading. It's not about getting
every word right and reading things perfectly. It’s about the whole picture if you like.
The program also uses electronic devices to make reading more appealing to children.
So we use Kindles and iPads, and the Kindle has so many opportunities for children to
download books of their own choice, and they're small and compact and a child can take them
home in their bags, and access those books at home with the help of a screenreader.
The program is open to ACT students in years 3-to-10 who experience reading difficulties.
A referral from the principal or school councilor is required.
Sandy Rose, University of Canberra.