Wordworks programme bridges the gap between home and school
Date: 5 May 2019
More than 100 schools are using the Wordworks Home-School Partnerships programme to run an annual series of workshops for parents and caregivers of children aged 5 - 8 years.
Shelley O’Carroll, Director of Wordworks, said when the non-profit organisation first started this work in 2006, they recognised that parents and caregivers have an important contribution to make to young children’s literacy and language development. “We believed that many parents wanted to be more involved, but did not know how best to support their children’s learning at home.”
Two other key principles on which the programme is based are the powerful combination of parents and teachers working together, as well as sharing new ideas in accessible ways.
The Wordworks team trains and supports teachers who volunteer to run the programme.
The teacher-facilitators then share skills during eight after-hour sessions with parents and caregivers who in turn support the children’s early literacy and language development at home.
If you are interested in starting the Home-School Partnerships Programme at your school, speak to your Foundation Phase Subject Advisor or email info@wordworks.org.za for more information.
The Home-School Partnerships programme is one of four programmes offered by Wordworks. Stellar, their Grade R Home Language programme, was rolled out to all Grade R teachers in 2016 and is still widely used across the province. Visit their website for more information and to access free literacy resources: www.wordworks.org.za
