The NWT Books in the Home program is similar to other programs used widely in Canada. It is based on the belief that parents are children’s first and most important teachers. Parents learn to read and share books with their children in positive and enjoyable ways. It promotes reading and writing of both parents and children.
Children need to read, write, talk and listen to become literate. They also need to have fun and share their ideas with their parents. Parents who have gone through this program have noticed a remarkable change in their relationship with their children.
You can do this program over several weeks. By providing childcare on-site, parents and children can meet separately and then come together to do joint activities. Each week, parents study a children’s book and take the book home. They can ask questions about the book and do a craft related to it. As well, parents write a journal outlining goals for the week. At the end of the session, they spend time reading the new book with their children.