Purpose:

This program consists of six one-hour sessions (to be delivered one/week) of parent and child activities based on the Comfort, Play and Teach™ framework developed by Invest in Kids.  The Program provides parents with an opportunity to learn about and support their child’s development.  In a group setting, parents discover ways to comfort, play with and teach their toddler through participating in engaging, fun and interactive activities with their children, thereby further enhancing their child’s development and building on the parent-child relationship.
Audience:

This program is designed for parents and their children, 18-36 months of age.  

Program Features:

Because Comfort, Play and Teach™ is grounded in the latest research on child development, this program provides a rich learning experience for parents and children that has the following features:

• An introduction to Comfort, Play & Teach for parents that provides an understanding of the framework and how to apply it in the interactions they have with their child daily.
• Theme-based sessions that include developmentally-appropriate, engaging activities for parents and children.
• A description of the developmental benefits for the child.
• A description of the Comfort, Play &Teach opportunities for each interactive activity.
• Weekly session guides for parents that include an overview of the weekly theme, songs and activities for the session, suggested activities to try at home, and a weekly Comfort, Play and Teach™ checklist based on everyday activities.
• A training DVD for facilitators that provides an overview to Comfort, Play & Teach, as well as how to deliver the program to parents and their children.

Program Goals:
o To introduce parents the Comfort, Play & Teach framework developed by Invest in Kids.

o To provide parents with an opportunity to use the Comfort, Play and Teach™ framework with their    children the context of fun-filled, interactive activities.

o To increase parents’ knowledge of child development.

o To provide parents with information and strategies on using comfort, play and teach in home and community environments.

o To increase parents’ confidence in supporting their child’s development.

o To provide parents and children an opportunity to connect with other families in a community-based, group setting.

o To provide communities with a program to engage families that is grounded in current research in child development.

o To introduce parents the Comfort, Play & Teach framework developed by Invest in Kids.

o To provide parents with an opportunity to use the Comfort, Play and Teach™ framework with their    children the context of fun-filled, interactive activities.

o To increase parents’ knowledge of child development.

o To provide parents with information and strategies on using comfort, play and teach in home and community environments.

o To increase parents’ confidence in supporting their child’s development.

o To provide parents and children an opportunity to connect with other families in a community-based, group setting.

o To provide communities with a program to engage families that is grounded in current research in child development.

The alternative learning program is an off-campus extension of  Edward Schreyer School (ESS).  The program is staffed with one classroom teacher, working in conjunction with the ESS Student Services Team (Resource, Guidance and Administration.  All courses completed by students in the program are credited through ESS.
The alternative learning program is an off-campus extension of  Edward Schreyer School (ESS).  The program is staffed with one classroom teacher, working in conjunction with the ESS Student Services Team (Resource, Guidance and Administration.  All courses completed by students in the program are credited through ESS. The program is designed to provide an alternative opportunity for students who have experienced difficulty coping with structure and requirements of the regular classroom at the high school level.  The content of the courses offered is based on provincial curriculum, as it is on the campus of ESS, but the method of delivery and the structure of the school day offers students the flexibility they may need to succeed at this level.
 

Courses are delivered as independent modules which students may complete at their own pace.  Some adaptation of content may be offered, as long as it is consistent with the provincial requirements for the course offered, but the program is not designed to provide special needs students with modifications to the curriculum.  Many students who have the skills and ability to meet the requirements of the regular curriculum encounter difficulties coping with the expectations of the regular classroom.  This program is offered to provide those students with an alternative setting which may give them the flexibility and opportunity they need to continue their high school education.
 

While the structure of the school day and the presentation of the courses through independent modules offer students a greater degree of flexibility, it also requires a greater degree of self-discipline and independent learning.  Space is limited and it is required that students who attend will make productive use of the opportunity presented to them. 
 
Additional Services and Supports:

Network 4 Change is a non-profit community resource centre that offers community services and supports through a variety of programs, projects and initiatives.  We are excited to partner with the Alternative Learning Program to provide services and supports to students that may assist them in being successful in achieving their identified goals. 
Network 4 Change is a non-profit community resource centre that offers community services and supports through a variety of programs, projects and initiatives.  We are excited to partner with the Alternative Learning Program to provide services and supports to students that may assist them in being successful in achieving their identified goals.  When a student enters into the alternative learning program they will receive supports and services through the Network 4 Change.  These services and supports will include;
 

• The development of a plan which will centre on the student’s identified goals (academic or otherwise).  The plan will include a focus on the student’s strengths with acknowledgment of the challenges and barriers that are affecting the desired outcome.  Strategies will be implemented, resources will be identified and accessed in line with the plan objectives/goals addressing the challenges/barriers.

• Network 4 Change will coordinate the plan and will regularly meet with collaterals identified as integral members of the student’s plan (parents, probation officers, social workers, resource, counselors, etc).  As objectives/goals are met, the plan will be amended and new objectives will be identified. 

• Outreach staff can provide supports as tutors, drivers, mentors, job coaches, life skill facilitators, etc.   

Double Click on the Calendar Event for More Details (it will take you to the event host website)

community-calendar.doc

Thank you to all of those who came out and joined in the fun festivities of the 1st Annual Network 4 Change Family Fun Day. 

All proceeds from the Carnival Games and Concession Stand are going towards the Breakfast for Learning Program to be launched September 2008 as a pilot project in Beausejour Early Years School. 

Can’t wait to see you next year; July 25, 2009!

THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS AND VOLUNTEERS …

YOUR GENEROSITY MADE THIS DAY ALL IT COULD BE!

Bookmates is a Manitoba-based Canadian not-for-profit organization promoting Family Literacy and Learning established in 1984. 

Bookmates is focused on the development, training and delivery of family learning programs to communities to enhance the learning of both children and adults. Bookmates offers a number of family literacy and learning programs which are ideal for use in schools, family resource centres and other organizations that care about families.

Why Family Literacy and Learning?

Family Learning is:
-Children and parents/caregivers learning together through everyday activities, or in parent-child programs.
- Families building on their culture and experience through language and activities.
-A community activity that helps families be the best they can be.

Quality Parent-Child programs are important:
“Evidence is clear that good early child development programs that involve parents (or primary caregivers) of young children can influence how they relate to and care for children in the home and can vastly improve outcomes for the children’s behaviour, learning, and health in later life.” (from the Early Years Study, Final Report Aprill 1999 co-chairs Hon. Margaret Norrie McCain and J. Fraser Mustard.)

Bookmates programs are developed in strong partnership with community members and organizations. The input of parents is critical to the process of creating quality family learning programs and is incorporated at each step along the way. Research shows that you learn best by doing. All of our programs and training opportunities are filled with fun, hands-on activities. We believe that parents are their child’s most important teachers and we give credit to all the great things that parents are already doing everyday with their children.

Bookmates Alphabet Soup Program was the 2006 recipient of the Dietitians of Canada Regional Award. This program was developed with the community in partnership with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority through the support of The Winnipeg Foundation.

Bookmates was the proud recipient of The International Reading  Association 2003 Celebrate Literacy Award.

Network 4 Change staff are trained to deliver;

• Parent-Child Mother Goose Program
• Bookmates Rock & Read 
• Bookmates Alphabet Soup
• Bookmates Family Learning Olympics

This program is a literacy/nutrition program designed by Bookmates in partnership with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority and parents from four community-based centres.This program brings together the goals of encouraging a love of language and books, and expanding children’s healthy eating experiences while providing parents with new food ideas and information. Bookmates Alphabet Soup Certification Training provides participants with a program manual complete with session outlines for each weekly theme including templates for children’s art activities, parent handouts, snack recipes, shopping lists, suggested book lists, songs and rhymes.

Bookmates Alphabet Soup received the Dieticians of Canada Regional Award for Excellence in Consumer Communication (2006).

Bookmates Family Learning Olympics events are great for:

• I Love to Read Month
• Welcome to Kindergarten
• Nursery School Windup
• Preschool Wellness Fairs
• School or Community Suppers

Learn how to successfully create this event for your community group or school.  Those who complete this training are eligible to borrow our Family Learning Olympics on Wheels (FLOW) kits. These kits contain everything you need for your event making it easy to be a host.

Facilitators learn:

• Ways to support families’ interaction with books and print
• What makes a good children’s book
• Selecting age and interest appropriate material
• Effective book sharing techniques
• Ideas for overcoming barriers to family reading