Carla Bullinger
Special to the Tribune/Weekend Advisor
Provocative headline? Yes! But it’s true.
The research is clear: when children have strong family attachment, feel valued, have opportunities to participate in the family in meaningful ways, and are recognized for positive behaviour, they are less likely to engage in alcohol and drug use and other problem behaviour.
Family literacy is an important way to build attachment and skills for success.
It refers to the many ways parents, children, and extended family members use literacy at home and in the community through play, music and dance, and storytelling by reading a storybook together, singing, or making a shopping list by playing with puppets and participating in the amazing free programs and events community members and service provides organize because we know that when families are more involved and more engaged, children tend to do better academically and socially.
Our community has made some good progress in supporting families and providing opportunities for meaningful and positive involvement. Communities that Care did a survey of all students grades 6-12 in Williams Lake in 2009 and in 2016.
In the 2016 survey, youth told us they feel more attached to their families, have more opportunities for positive involvement, and are recognized by their families when they’ve done a good job.
Positive family attachments develop right from day one. The best time to start is right now!
We’re moving in the right direction but there’s still work to be done. So let’s be intentional as we work with families and grow our community.
Strong, healthy families will naturally translate into a strong, healthy community.
Carla Bullinger is the community literacy co-ordinator for the Cariboo Chilcotin Partners for Literacy and Communities that Care facilitator.