Our Program
The family literacy approach
Four steps to education
The family literacy approach emphasizes parent-child joint learning through a four-pronged approach designed by the National Center for Families Learning:
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Literacy (ESOL) classes for mothers
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An early childhood development program
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Parent and Child Literacy Time
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Parenting, life skills, and health classes for mothers
The Benefits
This approach empowers mothers to become their children’s best teachers by raising their own literacy levels at the same time that their children are learning. While mothers learn English, their children develop language and school-readiness skills through interaction with trained early childhood teachers. Mothers gain exposure to literacy-learning techniques modeled in the Parent-child class, which they then reinforce at home. In this way, parent and child learn together.
Schedule & Enrollment
Schedule
Mondays - Thursdays
9:00AM - 12:30PM
School Year
August - May
Cost
Most students donate $15/month as an investment in their education.
Locations
NEW! Clarkston Community Center
965 N Indian Creek Dr
Clarkston, GA 30021
(Entrance behind the Clarkston Library)
Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church
3974 Memorial College Ave
Stone Mountain, GA 30083
(Entrance across from Office Depot)
Simultaneous Learning
Photo by Jennifer Green
English as a Second or Other Language (ESOL)
We offer 4 classes of ESOL instruction, and a GED Prep Class, for adults Mondays-Thursdays (August - May school year) across our two program sites. Students receive seven hours of weekly instruction.
Levels 1, 2 & 4
Meet Mondays and Wednesdays,
9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Level 2, 3 & GED Prep
Meet Tuesdays and Thursdays
9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Child Development program
While mothers take part in their ESOL classes, children attend classes grouped according to four age groups:
- Infants
- Ages 1-2
- Ages 2-3 (young preschool)
- Ages 3-5 (older preschool)
Children's classes nurture social-emotional and physical development in a safe, caring, and language-rich environment. Classes emphasize learning through play and engagement with teachers, volunteers, and classmates. Older children enjoy activities that promote emergent literacy and school readiness so that they will be prepared to thrive in kindergarten.
Collaborative Learning
Parent & Child Classes
During parent-child sessions, mothers and children learn literacy skills together through arts, crafts, songs, stories and more. The concepts covered prepares both the child and the parent for entry into the school system. Our young students get classroom experience, and the parents are introduced to classroom concepts and gain experience interacting in English with their children’s teachers.
Beyond The Classroom
ESOL Assemblies & Citizenship
Monthly workshops allow our students to apply their literacy skills to practical situations. Workshops cover everything from parent-teacher conferences to interacting with emergency services.
Additionally, an amazing volunteer teaches citizenship preparation classes four days a week. Students learn about the United States government and history in preparation for their citizenship exam an interview.
Photo by Jennifer Green
Collaborative Learning
Parent & Child Classes
During parent-child sessions (PACT), mothers and children learn literacy skills together through arts, crafts, songs, stories and more. The concepts covered prepares both the child and the parent for entry into the school system. Our young students get classroom experience, and the parents are introduced to classroom concepts and gain experience interacting in English with their children’s teachers.
Family Support
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Resources & Assistance
As a new addition to our program, we offer assistance that extends beyond the classroom in order to support growing, healthy families.
We partner with our students to support their access to needed social benefits (Medicaid, Food Stamps, Health Care), school registration, transportation to appointments, navigating Early Intervention services (Babies Can't Wait), mental health referrals, and more.
We utilize the gifts and time of staff and volunteers to support our students' needs in the most holistic way possible.
Eat.Move.Talk!
Support us!
Donate
Donations from our community are essential in order for us to provide excellent programs for the families we serve. We are a 501(c)3, and all donations are tax-deductible and acknowledged in writing.
Volunteer
Volunteers are an essential part of our program! We have a variety of opportunities: helping in classrooms, tutoring English, and gathering and distributing supplies. Volunteers can come for an hour several times a week, or stay for a couple of hours one day each week.
In partnership with the Georgia Department of Public Health, our Eat.Move.Talk! program incorporates healthy eating (Healthy Food Experience), movement activities and Dual Language Learning practices into our classrooms' curriculum and activities each day.