Sessions | Family Literacy Conference

Keynotes

“I didn’t know that I didn’t know what dyslexia was!” - Sue Blyth Hall

Currently, this is Sue’s current favourite quote from her documentary WHO KNEW Dyslexia is a Way of Thinking. It encapsulates the overwhelming reaction to the information she enjoys sharing. She is delighted that her Keynote enables her to provide an opportunity for a wider audience to shift their perception of many so-called learning disabilities. She knows, from 26 years of experience that everyone is able to learn, as long as they are taught in the way they were born to learn.

One-third of the population has a little-known natural ability that leads to both talents and challenges. She will describe this ability, highlight the talents and explain why the challenges arise as soon as a child enters our education system. She will describe the

tools and skills that can correct the existing challenges and render potential challenges

obsolete. If the reason for the problem is removed, the problem ceases to exist.

Sue is beyond privileged to work with individuals who are choosing to change their lives,

to fulfil their potential and inspired by the realisation that our children are here to restore

balance and co-create a new paradigm in education. Her hope is that her information

enables you to understand your clients at a deeper level, and maybe yourselves too?

Altering our Perception - Kimberley Chung

If our work in family literacy was 100% successful, what would that look like? What would that make possible and for whom?

When is the last time you let yourself dream about the world we know is possible? Too often in the not-for-profit world we are stuck in reacting to the problem of the day, thinking about what we don’t have and all the challenges that stand in our way. Think about how it would feel to be proactive instead of reactive; to realize our strengths and assets as a group instead of being stuck in a scarcity mindset; to create true systemic change and build the world we know is possible.

For the past three years, Kimberley has been working with and learning from Hildy Gottlieb, founder of Creating the Future, an organization in Arizona. Hildy developed Catalytic Thinking, “a question-based framework for creating a future that is different from our past.” (www.creatingthefuture.org). This framework helps guide decision making at every level professionally and is also applicable to our personal lives.

To get unstuck, we have to be open to doing things differently; to question our perception about what we’ve been told about the way things have to be; to take the time to dream, ask questions, and figure out what we need to do to create the future we want for ourselves, our learners, our communities, and this world.

What Does Transformation Look Like? - Adrian LaChance

Drawing on his own lived experiences, amazing storytelling ability, and humour, Adrian closes out our conference with thoughts on transformation. Sharing the teachings of the medicine wheel and the importance of unity, harmony, and balance, this session will send you home inspired to continue the important work you do.

Day 1, October 7: Pre-Conference Training Institute

Kickstart your conference experience with our Pre-Conference Training Institute! These intensive, hands-on sessions are designed to equip you with the skills and confidence to lead effective family literacy programs in your own community. Led by expert trainers from the Centre for Family Literacy, this full-day of training dives deep into best practices, engaging strategies, and practical tools to support literacy development for families. Whether you're new to family literacy or looking to enhance your existing programs, these sessions provide the knowledge and resources you need to make a lasting impact. Don't miss this opportunity to build on your conference experience with certificates in your choice of two family literacy programs!

We strongly recommend (although do not require) you take Family Literacy Fundamentals Training through the Centre for Family Literacy prior to the conference (if you haven't already). If you register for the Training Institute, we'll follow up with some options for the Fundamentals course.

Rhymes that Bind - Lisa Ware

This training provides the participant with the necessary information, resources and skills to facilitate their own Rhymes that Bind program in their community. Rhymes that Bind is a facilitated program for parents/caregivers and their children, ages 0 - 3 years. It promotes oral language development in babies and toddlers, as parents/caregivers learn how to support and enjoy learning through rhymes, finger plays, songs and simple movement games with their children in a safe, supportive peer group.

Books Offer Our Kids Success (B.O.O.K.S) - Kimberley Chung

This training provides the participant with the necessary information, resources and skills to build and facilitate their own B.O.O.K.S program in their community. B.O.O.K.S is a facilitated program for parents of preschoolers. This program models book sharing strategies, explores books themes and the connections to everyday life and extends on book content by incorporating a variety of different literacy activities into the sessions, including crafts, journaling, cooking, and more! Parents are given the opportunity to borrow books to share at home with their children along with ideas for extending and practicing the learning. The B.O.O.K.S program provides an informal setting where parents and caregivers develop their understanding of their role in their children’s literacy development, as well as their own skills.

Family Book Club - Kristin Dmytriw

This training provides the participant with the information, resources, and skills required to build and start their own Family Book Club Literacy Program. Family Book club is a facilitated program for parents/caregivers and their children age 4 - 6+. The program introduces parents/caregivers to emergent literacy skills including: early reading, writing, vocabulary, print awareness, comprehension, environmental print, and much more. Using high quality children's books, activities, games, crafts, shared reading, and much more, adults will learn to identify and support early literacy skills and development in their children while practicing and strengthening their own literacy skills. Participants of this training will also learn how to develop and reproduce their own Family Book Club literacy kits.

Books for Babies - Lisa Ware

This training provides the participant with the necessary information, resources and skills to facilitate their own Books for Babies program in their community. Books for Babies is a facilitated program for parents/caregivers and their babies, up to 12 months old. The program introduces parents/caregivers to various ways they can support their child’s early literacy and language experiences, encourages daily book sharing and, in doing so, helps promote healthy family relationships.

Storysacks - Kimberley Chung

This training provides the participant with the necessary information, resources and skills to facilitate their own Storysacks program in their community. Storysacks is a facilitated program for parents/caregivers. In the program, parents, volunteers and community members work together to make a Storysack to help families in their community support the early literacy skills of their preschool children. While building the sack, adults identify their strengths and skills, and build on those as they learn how to create props and scenery related to a storybook, representations of characters, games, crafts and more, based on the book.

321, FUN! - Kristin Dmytriw

This training provides the participant with the necessary information, resources and skills to build and start their own 321, Fun! Numeracy Program in their community. 321, Fun! Is a facilitated program for parents/caregivers and their preschool children. The program introduces parents and caregivers to early numeracy concepts using a variety of activities, like games, cooking, crafts and more. Adults learn to identify daily opportunities to support every stage of their child’s numeracy development. Learning happens best when in the context of family! In the program adults are able to build, develop and practice their own numeracy skills while supporting their child.

Day 2, October 8: Family Literacy Conference

In addition to our keynote speakers this morning, we have two concurrent session blocks with a variety of topics to choose from in the afternoon!

Brain Architecture Game - Adine Shuchuk & Pam Gudmundson

The Brain Architecture Game is an experiential learning tool that builds understanding of the powerful role experiences play in early childhood brain development. Attendees will leave this session with clear ideas on how to promote healthy brain development and the positive impact this has in our communities.

Eureka! - Bringing Science into Family Literacy (Part 1) - Claudia Selles
It’s in your schools, it’s in your hobbies, it’s in your homes, and now it can be in your family literacy programs...It’s science! And it doesn’t need to be intimidating. Learn how science and family literacy go hand-in-hand, and how to make science fun and relatable to everyday life. We’ll practice science activities perfect for family programs and create a framework for adding experiments to your lesson plans.

Introduction to Building Blocks in Home Visitation Services (Part 1) - Dawn Titterington & Barbara Moore Coffey

An introduction to what an in-home literacy program is for families. This offering will provide a taster of the framework, knowledge, and strategies needed to deliver this program. It will encourage participants to identify and focus on the skills needed to help empower families to become active participants in their own learning.
It will capture a snapshot on:
1. What do family literacy programs look like, and why do they benefit participants?
2. Why do families participate in family literacy?
3. What is authentic learning?
4. What makes a family literacy program effective?

Transforming Materials with Canva - Ella Ruth Bilodeau

Welcome to my workshop on using Canva to enhance your practices! We’ll explore how to leverage Canva’s free tools to create personal storyboards, games, and early learning materials. You’ll learn to design inclusive resources that reflect diverse identities, learning styles, and literacy levels, fostering stronger connections with your learners. We’ll also dive into Canva’s AI features to help you create dynamic, interactive materials that inspire creativity and engagement. Join us to discover how to use Canva to create visually appealing and accessible educational content that transforms your learning practices!

WHO KNEW Dyslexia is a Way of Thinking - Sue Blyth Hall

WHO KNEW Dyslexia is a Way of Thinking is a documentary funded by Telus STORYHIVE, which follows Sue’s discovery of why so many so-called learning disabilities exist. You will see some of the tools and skills in action. You will hear from some of her adult clients as they share their struggles and their achievements. Sue is grateful to Julie Brewer, an Early Childhood Educator, who has successfully adapted the self-management tools in her classroom with staggering success. Following the film, Sue will invite a discussion and lead an interactive session, because
she knows true knowledge to be experiential!

Psychological Safety: Building a Culture of Curiosity - Kristin Dmytriw & Sarah Davidson

What does it mean to feel psychologically safe at work and why is this such a critical part of any team? In this session we will explore how to create a psychologically safe organization where each and every one of us feels safe to be ourselves and take interpersonal risks without fear.

Eureka! - Bringing Science into Family Literacy (Part 2) - Claudia Selles
It’s in your schools, it’s in your hobbies, it’s in your homes, and now it can be in your family literacy programs...It’s science! And it doesn’t need to be intimidating. Learn how science and family literacy go hand-in-hand, and how to make science fun and relatable to everyday life. We’ll practice science activities perfect for family programs and create a framework for adding experiments to your lesson plans.

Introduction to Building Blocks in Home Visitation Services (Part 2) - Dawn Titterington & Barbara Moore Coffey

Building Strong Community Based Partnerships and Volunteer Relations - Alysse Billings & Callista Olivares

Join United for Literacy for a session focused on developing strong community partnerships and enhancing volunteer relations. Participants will explore three key topics: addressing barriers to entry and accessibility, understanding privilege and bias in community-based programming, and the importance of working from a person-centered approach. This workshop provides practical tools and strategies for promoting inclusive programming and effective communication. By the end, participants will gain insights on fostering relationships and how to develop a practice of inclusion that permeates the levels of connection throughout their work.

Bridging Generations: Strengthening Family Literacy Through Intergenerational Learning - Nakita Gideon-Syme

This interactive session explores how intergenerational learning can enhance family literacy by connecting youth, adults, and seniors through shared educational experiences. Participants will discover strategies to design and implement programs that honour diverse knowledge, foster meaningful connections, and build literacy skills across generations. Examples include storytelling projects, tech tutoring workshops, and mentorship programs.

Day 3, October 9: Family Literacy Conference

Start out Day 3 with one of five possible double-sessions, where you'll have time to dig deep into a unique topic. Continue with another session before our closing keynote.

Adaptive Learning: Creating and Facilitating Learner-Led, Curriculum Free Literacy Programming - Kristin Dmytriw

Imagine a literacy program where you are able to toss out the curriculum and provide your participants with a personalized, meaningful, and responsive learning experience. Think of the opportunities that can exist when you are able to facilitate a program by creating, adapting, and evaluating a participant's learning path in "real time".

Beyond the Story: Looking at the Wealth of Learning with Children’s Books - Wendy Peverett
The selection of today’s children’s books is vast and covers a wide array of topics, stories, and formats. Attending family literacy programs exposes families to new materials, topics, vocabulary, and concepts. Understanding of these new concepts takes more than just reading the book a number of times. Let’s look at different ways you can reinforce the new learnings in this session. Explore new ways to: increase vocabulary, help learners relate information to their own lives, and gain a better understanding of new concepts all while enjoying the sharing of books within the family.

Embedding Adult Learning in Family Literacy Programs - Tanis Harms & Cheryl Lovstrom

Family Literacy programs aren’t just for kids! Valuable learning for the whole family starts with strong skills in parents and caregivers. Embedding adult learning into Family Literacy programs allows facilitators to focus on adult learning while engaging the whole family. In this session we’ll share tips and tricks, as well as a planning tool to help frontline staff and leaders develop effective lesson plans for adults and children alike. Learn how to create a plan, plan for learning, and keep everyone engaged in building skills.

Human Centred Approaches to Sex, Gender, and Sexuality - Gracie McNicol & Diana Cretu

This training is for anyone who may encounter queerness in personal or professional settings. Through discussion-based learning, we explore questions about gender, sex, and sexuality with a focus on diverse perspectives and lived experiences. The course helps build confidence in navigating queerness while addressing biased questions and refocusing on the individual. If you’ve ever wondered, “Why do some people use they/them pronouns?” this session is for you!

Reaching the "Unreachable": Expanding Family Literacy Beyond Barriers - Phaedra Hitchings

Who gets to be part of family literacy - and who gets left out? Many families face visible and invisible barriers to participation, from logistical challenges to the ways programs are designed. How can we empower more families, strengthen our programs, and transform how we define family literacy itself? This interactive session explores real-world strategies for creating more inclusive, welcoming programming. Together we’ll unpack common barriers and expand ways to recognize and support families as active participants. Session participants will leave with practical ideas to expand family literacy in meaningful, lasting ways.

Play with Purpose: Nurturing Language and Literacy in Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers - Kaitlyn Parks,
Coralie D'Souza & Elizabeth Attisano

This session will help participants explore strategies to support families and transform everyday play into rich opportunities for building key language and literacy skills all young children need to become successful readers. Through modeling, hands-on activities and practical examples, participants will learn why skills like oral language, listening and comprehension, print awareness, letter-sound connections, and early writing are so important, and how to naturally build these skills through play in any home or learning environment.

Fostering Inclusivity: Empowering Educators with AI-Powered Tech Tools - Ella Ruth Bilodeau
Join us for an engaging session where we'll look into the potential of free tech tools in cultivating inclusivity within foundational learner classes, focusing on plain language and multilingual materials. Participants will learn how to use AI-based tech tools to communicate with potential learners, create class materials, and reduce language barriers. By the end of our session, you'll leave with practical strategies and a toolkit of resources that you can easily apply in your teaching. Our journey is dedicated to embracing inclusivity through a multilingual and plain language lens, enriching the learning experience for all.

Moe the Mouse Comes to Alberta - Joleen Bateman & Kathleen Anderson

Moe the Mouse curriculum is an innovative early speech and language resource through an Indigenous lens to support language development in children ages 3–5. The program was first created in British Columbia by speech pathologists; Anne Gardner and Margaret Chesterman. The GPFC Head Start team discovered the program at a conference in 2019. They immediately knew it would be a perfect addition to the program and have used it since. In 2022, Joleen was invited to lead the project of adapting the curriculum to fit Alberta. Also included in this adaptation is Metis cousin Joe, which was created by the staff from the GPFC Aboriginal Head Start.

An Integrated Approach to EAL and Family Literacy - Alana Johnson & Rosalia “Lia” dela Cruz

During this interactive session family literacy practitioners will acquire tools and strategies to support English as an additional language (EAL) families. The workshop includes discussion of culture, traditions, and best practices for merging EAL and Family Literacy programs.

Supporting Numeracy Ninjas - Kimberley Chung

For many people, math is a huge barrier - they don’t like it, don’t think they are good at it, and don’t think they can support others in learning it. Think about your own feelings for math - would you have clicked on this description if that word was in the title? By making math fun, accessible, and an integrated part of our daily lives we can start breaking down that barrier for many people.
In this hands-on workshop, we will explore the opportunities that are around us every day. We will create activities using the concepts from these daily situations to help families become comfortable in integrating numeracy and math into their routines. As a numeracy ninja, you will learn how you can support families to build a foundation in early numeracy, support school age learning, and beyond. You will leave with tools and resources that can be adapted to your situation and for the families you are working with.