Aboriginal Parents as Literacy Supporters Program Training

When: November 1, 2018 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Where: Gwa’Sala-Nakwaxda’xw School, Port Hardy
Lunch & Refreshments: included
Cost: FREE APALS Binder $55 (may be eligible for subsidy)
Register by October 15th by calling or emailing Trish at:
TrishLiteracyNow@gmail.com or 250-209-9507
*Class space limited to 30 participants – Open to teachers, ECEs, EAs, & students in these fields.

Aboriginal PALS (Parents as Literacy Supporters) is a play-based, culturally
responsive fa mily literacy program that gives parents and caregivers new
strategies to support their preschool and kindergarten-aged children’s
learning. The goal of PALS is to help families support their children’s early
literacy development. In consultation with Elders and other Aboriginal
community leaders, PALS has been adapted for Aboriginal communities.
“All things are connected. We did not weave the web of life; we are merely a
strand in it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves.” Chief Seattle
Aboriginal PALS facilitators training is based on the key teachings above.
Training includes a detailed examination of seven-session ideas based on common values that exist
within and between Aboriginal Communities. These activities are intended as a springboard, so
consideration is given to adapting the activities to meet the needs of each community. A “make and
take” component is also included in this session. Come prepared to sing and have fun!
• Training delivered by Decoda Literacy Solutions, Decoda.ca
• Participants can purchase Aboriginal PALS binders at a cost of $55 plus tax.
• Participants will receive a certificate of completion that will give them 5 hours.
Your APALS Program:
Once trained, participants can design their APALS program using the binder materials, can customize for
local culture, and run the program in their facility whenever and as often as they like.
Parents & children attend together: Programs are generally 10 sessions of 3 hours. Parents/Caregivers
will learn in one room, while children are in another room participating in fun literacy activities with
their facilitators. Parents and children will come together for lunch and sharing time.
We recommend using a school employee as the Facilitator and either an employee or an EA or ECE
college student work experience placement as the children’s facilitator.

Sponsored by The Mount Waddington Family Literacy Society.