A Place to Grow: Stories from Our Family Literacy Programs

Since 1995, we have been delivering family literacy programs across Calgary—programs that offer more than just early learning. We provide a place for connection, support, and confidence-building for families navigating new chapters in life.

From Books for Babies and Literacy and Parenting Skills to Parent-Child Mother Goose and Jumpstart, our programs take place in a wide range of community settings—from libraries and newcomer centres, family service agencies,, recovery centres, and neighbourhood hubs. Wherever they’re offered, these programs create safe, welcoming, and fun spaces where parents and caregivers can learn alongside their children.

The impact of these programs often unfolds in quiet, everyday moments. These three stories and pictures offer a glimpse into how learning and connection grow side by side.

From Shy to Sharing: A New Mom Finds Her Voice

Shared by Shamiza Mohamed, Jumpstart Facilitator

When one mother arrived at our Jumpstart program at Immigrant Services Calgary with her 6-month-old baby boy, she was shy and reserved. As a first-time mom with limited support, and with English not being her first language, she was hesitant to speak up, even though you could tell she wanted to.

In the first few sessions, she listened quietly, soaking it all in. We made it clear from the start that this was a safe, supportive space where questions were welcome and no one was alone in their challenges. That reassurance slowly started to make a difference.

By the fourth session, the change was remarkable. This mom was talkative, engaged, and excited to share. She spoke about new developments she had noticed in her baby, offered her thoughts and opinions, and asked other moms for advice, including how they read with their babies or soothed them when they cried.

It was a small window into what these moments of connection can do. With a bit of time, encouragement, and a space where she felt safe, this new mom found her footing. And in doing so, she reminded all of us how meaningful it is when parents feel supported as they grow into their role and connect with others walking a similar path.

Supporting Two Children, One Story at a Time

Shared by Jumpstart Facilitator

Jacqueline*, a mother of two—a 5-month-old and a 5-year-old—joined FESA’s Jumpstart program in partnership with the Mainsprings Pregnancy and Family Support to learn how to support her baby’s development. Jumpstart is a family literacy program for parents and caregivers of children up to 18 months old. It covers four key topics: early attachment and development, supporting babies' speech and language skills, nursery songs and rhymes, and reading with baby.

From the beginning, Jacqueline was an engaged participant, often asking thoughtful questions that helped the whole group learn. She was especially curious about ways to support her baby's speech and language development. She learned how important it is to talk to her baby frequently, even if they can’t yet respond, and how a sing-song voice and expressive facial cues can help build early communication.

What she hadn’t expected was how much the program would help her support her older child as well. Her 5-year-old had been struggling since the arrival of the new baby, and Jacqueline wasn’t sure how to reconnect. But through Jumpstart, she began reading aloud to both children—choosing age-appropriate books, using playful voices, and inviting her older child to talk about the stories. It quickly became a new ritual: quiet moments on the couch, books open, stories flowing, and laughter filling the room.

By the end of the program, Jacqueline felt more confident in her role as a parent. She had new tools to support both her children’s learning and had found simple ways to reconnect with her older child through stories and shared moments. What started as a program for her baby ended up strengthening the whole family.

Songs, Support, and Growth in Unexpected Places

Shared by PCMG/LAPS Facilitator

Sara*, a mother of newborn twins, discovered FESA’s Parent-Child Mother Goose and Literacy and Parenting Skills program at an addiction recovery centre. Each week, she joined a group of moms and their children to learn songs, rhymes, and stories to help connect with their infants and support early literacy. The program also included parenting strategies and skills to guide her through the early, often overwhelming, months of motherhood.

At first, Sara was nervous about singing out loud. But as she looked around the room, she realized every mom was in the same boat—trying something new and learning alongside their children. As the weeks went on, her confidence began to grow. She started participating more fully, singing and rhyming with her babies during sessions and at home.

She shared with others that she had started using the songs and stories to increase how often she talked to her babies, especially during quiet moments when she wasn’t sure what to say. Singing became a natural and comforting way to communicate. Over time, she began to see those songs not just as entertainment, but as tools for early brain development. The rhythms, repetition, and sounds were helping her babies engage and learn.

Sara showed up to each session eager to learn, always taking notes and reflecting on what worked for her family. After three months in the program, she saw her babies becoming more responsive and felt more prepared and connected as a parent. She left the program feeling grateful for the guidance, encouragement, and sense of belonging that helped her build a stronger foundation—for herself and for her children.

More Than a Program—A Community

These stories remind us that literacy grows through relationships: between parents and children, facilitators and families, and among caregivers themselves. In every song, question, and shared story, something meaningful begins to take shape—confidence, connection, and a sense of belonging.

A heartfelt thank you to our many partners across Calgary who make this work possible.

If you’re interested in bringing a program like Jumpstart or Parent-Child Mother Goose to your organization or community, contact us at programs@furthered.ca to learn more.