Learning and Development News

Government backing for campaign to improve the skills of UK families

By TJ (28-09-2007)
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Learning and Development News - Government backing for campaign to improve the skills of UK families

The Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills is backing the Campaign for Learning’s National Family Learning Week from 6 to 14 October, as it recognises the a need to develop the skills of both adults and children. Millions of adults in the UK are coping with maths and English levels below that expected of an eleven year old, and many of them may also be parents who are feeling the pressure of trying to support their children’s education. The Campaign and DIUS share the belief that family learning is key to addressing the issue of low skills, by helping families learn together and support each other’s learning and development.

Minister for Skills, David Lammy MP, explains,  ‘Learning together as a family is an ideal way for people of all ages to have fun and develop their skills. Parental involvement in a child's learning has a huge effect on attainment, and family learning activities are an excellent way of bringing families together and encouraging parents to improve their own skills.
 
“Children learn with the support of their parents and adults can brush up their own skills in reading, writing and maths at the same time. Children who think learning is cool do well at school and adults keen to get better skills can progress at work and lead more fulfilling lives.
 
“Family Learning Week is a time to show you can have fun with learning and prompt people to think about improving their skills. Anyone wanting to find out more about family learning and developing their skills should call the freephone Get On 0800 66 0800 helpline. There are many free Government funded courses on offer - no one should just get by.

Joint chief executive of the Campaign for Learning Tricia Hartley also believes that family learning is the best way to increase skills. She explains, ‘When people haven’t developed their skills it may be because they have had bad experiences in the past. This can often leave parents caught between the fear of taking that first step into learning, and the desire to make sure their children get the best start in life. Family learning activities offer adults a taste of learning on their doorstep in a relaxed and informal setting, increasing their confidence to learn with and for their children.’

Family Learning Week events are happening all over the country from 6th October and include Balloon Car Racing, Unearthed Dinosaurs, Fungus Foray and much more. The Campaign and DIUS know from experience that  these fun, imaginative and creative learning activities grab the nation’s attention and attract more families back to into learning.

Family Learning Week has been running in October each year since 1998 and is the country’s biggest community learning festival. The Campaign’s website www.welovelearning.co.uk has advice and guidance for families. A free ‘Family fun with Skills for Life’ activity guide, produced by the Campaign for Learning and DIUS, is also available online. For more in-depth Skills for Life advice, and support and information on brushing up their maths and English, parents can call free on 0800 66 0800.

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