Search the site

Family Learning

What is Family Learning?

 

Family learning covers all forms of formal and informal learning that involves more than one generation. It includes learning about roles, relationships and responsibilities in relation to family life; learning how to understand, take responsibility and make decisions in relation to wider society.

 

Family learning supports all members of the family to develop new skills, build on existing skills, try something new and share these new experiences. “Family” members can include friends as well as family, reflecting the range of support relationships that individuals rely on in the twenty first century.

 

Research shows families are our first and most important teachers. Without family support, a child’s formal education can be an uphill struggle but families often feel they are unable to provide educational support for a variety of reasons. For some, school has unhappy memories, so they are reluctant to re-engage with learning. For others, a lack of confidence in basic skills (English and Maths) or curriculum subjects makes them fearful of “getting it wrong”.

 

Family learning activities offer the opportunity for parents/carers to get involved in a relaxed and informal atmosphere, picking up ideas for supporting and organising learning activities at home. All family members can discover that they have something to learn and something to share. Family learning not only reinforces the importance of learning to children through family participation, it can also offer a second chance for parents, carers and grandparents to return to learning. Participants can discover new interests, aptitudes and abilities, which the can go on to explore. For some, it can be the first step back into the workplace.

 

WE NEED YOUR HELP to create learning opportunities in your community. By hosting some taster sessions for you and your “family” we hope that you too will see the benefits of learning and enjoying together. If you have any ideas for activities you would like us to host (or if there are any activities that you would be happy to run for us) – please complete the feedback form below. Whilst we cannot guarantee to hold all activities, your input is important to us and the future of the project.

 

Ideas might include:

  • Sports activities
  • Arts activities
  • Music
  • Cookery e.g. A Taste of Europe, Family Favourites, www.letsgetcooking.org.uk
  • ICT e.g. Website development, digital photography

and many more.

For information on the Family Learning courses run by Newbury College please click HERE