St. Thomas—Elgin

The YWCA literacy program is partnering with the St. Thomas Health Unit to deliver a version of Lullabies to Literacy for hard-to-serve isolated parents involved with the Health Unit’s Parent Resource Workers. This new program seems to have been an instant success with the YWCA providing some staff time and the Health Unit providing additional staff time and snacks.

The program began with ten families and 13 children, with two other families dropping in occasionally. The families have enjoyed the time out, have formed new friendships and have seen the value of social interaction for their children. The program has focused on self-esteem, talking and listening, sounds, choosing books and songs and rhymes. Guest presenters have included the Early Years Literacy Specialist, a local musician and the Children’s Librarian. For more information, contact Shelley Olivier at 519-631-9800 or by e-mail at literacy.ywcastthomaselgin@on.aibn.com.

Lullabies to Literacy was developed by the Macaulay Centre in Toronto, and you can find out more about it by visiting www.macaulaycentre.org/famlit_train.html.