Every Learning Journey Starts Somewhere

Nerida K
4 hours ago
4 min read

30 Years of Family Literacy in Community

Every learning journey starts somewhere.

Sometimes it begins with a song, a story, or a quiet moment shared between a parent and child. Over time, these moments build confidence, language, and connection.

This is where family literacy takes root.

This year marks 30 years of learning, connection, and community at the Further Education Society of Alberta. Over that time, families, children, and communities have come together to build skills, confidence, and belonging through shared learning experiences rooted in everyday life.

As we look ahead, FESA is once again participating in Rogers Birdies for Kids presented by AltaLink, creating an opportunity to expand access to learning for more families and children.

Why Family Literacy Matters

Family literacy is about learning together.

It is not only about reading. It lives in everyday moments. The songs parents sing to their babies, the stories shared at bedtime, the confidence a child feels when they begin to sound out a word, and the confidence a parent builds alongside them.

These moments matter. They are often the first steps in a much longer learning journey.

Research shows that when families are involved in literacy, children develop stronger reading skills and are better prepared for school. These shared experiences also strengthen relationships, confidence, and a sense of belonging, shaping how children learn and grow over time.

At the same time, participating in learning is not always easy. Families may face barriers such as language, isolation, limited resources, or simply not knowing where to begin. When learning opportunities are welcoming and accessible, families are more able to take part, build confidence together, and carry that learning forward into everyday life.

Learning in Different Ways

Learning does not look the same for every family or every child.

Across FESA programs, learning takes many forms. Each year, these programs reach hundreds of families and children. Recently, over 1,300 adult learners and families and more than 1,000 children have taken part. Many are building confidence, strengthening their skills, and finding new ways to continue learning at home and in their communities.

Some programs focus on parents and young children learning together. Others support school-aged children as they build skills, develop confidence, and establish routine. Each one is designed to reflect real life and meet learners where they are.

Family Literacy Kits

Books, games, and learning materials that families can use at home to support everyday learning.

Parent-Child Mother Goose (PCMG)

Songs, rhymes, and stories that support early development and strengthen the bond between parent and child.

Literacy and Parenting Skills, Indigenous Literacy and Parenting Skills, and New Beginnings

Programs that support parents in building their own literacy while strengthening how they support their children’s learning. They create space to share experiences, build confidence, and learn in ways that reflect each family’s context and culture.

Homework Club

A consistent, supportive space where children can build literacy skills, get help with schoolwork, and feel more confident in their learning.

Family Literacy Events

Community gatherings that bring families together through storytelling, creativity, and shared learning.

Together, these programs create space for learning within families, alongside peers, and across community settings.

Nadiya’s Story

Behind every program is a family and a story of how learning begins.

Nadiya and her husband arrived in Canada from Ukraine about two years ago, beginning a new chapter while welcoming their daughter, Elizabeth, who was born in Calgary.

Nadiya first heard about the Parent-Child Mother Goose (PCMG) program through her counsellor at Mainsprings Pregnancy and Family Support. She was looking for a place to practice English, connect with others, and support her daughter’s early learning.

When Nadiya and 15 month old Elizabeth joined the group, they became part of a small community of parents and children who gathered each week to share songs, rhymes, and conversation.

Even while still learning English, Nadiya participated fully. She joined in each activity with openness and determination, building confidence over time and connecting with others in the group.

Elizabeth’s growth unfolded in small and meaningful ways. She began following gestures during songs, pointing to her eyes, ears, nose, and chin. She responded to music with movement and rhythm. She clapped at the end of rhymes, expressing her enjoyment.

In a recent session, she waved her arms in a rowing motion and made her own joyful version of the sounds from “Row, Row, Row Your Boat.” It was a simple moment, but one that reflected how much she had learned and how comfortable she had become in the space.

For Nadiya, the program offered more than learning. It created a sense of connection, confidence, and belonging as she supported her daughter and built her own skills at the same time.

- Story shared by FESA Facilitator

Looking Ahead

Stories like Nadiya and Elizabeth’s show how learning grows over time. It often begins with small, everyday moments and builds into greater confidence for both children and parents.

These learning opportunities, whether in early childhood programs or after school spaces, help create a strong foundation that carries into school and daily life.

As this work continues, support helps keep programs accessible for families and communities.

Through Rogers Birdies for Kids, donations are matched up to 50 percent for a limited time, helping extend these opportunities to more families and children.

Donate here: https://www.furthered.ca/give-now