WA: The Boost Program – Help your Child to Read and Spell
Submitted by Geoff, 7 Oct 2011
In Perth, United Way has collaborated with CLAN Midland (Community Links and Networks) and the Dyslexia- SPELD Foundation to deliver key education initiatives.
UWA supports a number of CLAN Midland programs including Families and Schools Together (FAST), Baby FAST, Let’s Read and Parental Guidance Recommended and Food Cents – all which involve engaging and working with schools and families to empower children to fulfil their potential in education and in life.
The Dyslexia-SPELD Foundation established the Boost program to address the issue of poor literacy levels amongst children from lower socio-economic backgrounds. Since it is known that parents play a critical role in the early development of a child’s language and pre-literacy skills, Boost gives parents the tools – and confidence – to support their child’s literacy development. This will help prevent significant learning difficulties in the classroom that often arise due to low levels of literacy.
Feedback from participants shows how beneficial these workshops are. Parents report an increase in having new skills; feeling more empowered; and engaging their children in many of the recommended activities and games.
Emma, parent involved in the Boost program:
“Boost has taught me a lot in how to assist my child with their reading and spelling through adopting simple activities and game ideas that I can take home with me as well.”