How does 26Ten help families?
26Ten helps families by supporting parents and carers to improve their reading, writing, spelling and maths skills. This gives parents and carers the confidence to support their children’s learning.
26Ten also supports organisations and communities to understand how low literacy impacts individuals and our society. A free one-hour literacy awareness workshop explains:
- the prevalence and reasons for low literacy
- how to better identify low literacy in parents and carers
- how to use the 26Ten Chat to refer people for help
- the benefits of clear communication.
We offer free plain English workshops for schools, businesses and government organisations to help them better communicate with families. We also offer a free one-hour workshop for schools on writing student reports in plain English. Find out more information on our Plain English page or email us at email@26ten.tas.gov.au.
Why is family literacy critical to raising literacy levels in Tasmania?
Parents and carers are a child’s most important educator in the early years, when 90 per cent of a child’s brain development occurs. They help language development by talking, singing, rhyming and reading with their children, from birth.
Parents and carers with low literacy often lack the confidence to help their children. They lack the skills to read with their children and later to engage with their education.
When we help parents and carers improve their literacy and numeracy skills, we help children achieve better outcomes.
John’s story
“My grandson showed interest in hearing about my life story. This inspired me to learn to read and write. So I went to the library and was matched with a volunteer tutor who helped me start learning.”
Kelly’s story as an adult learner in George Town
“My family are so proud of me for working so hard and have seen a difference in me. So my advice is to go for what you love and be happy. Don’t try and do it on your own, always ask for help even if you think you can’t do it, keep trying.”
Julie’s learning journey
“I can sit down now and listen to the grandchildren, and even with my own kids, listen to their home readers, do their home readers with them, and even read the kids stories. I feel more confident and more happy in my own self.”
