Improving parent-school and parent-child relationships through the development of relevant reading materials for students and teaching aids for parents and educators
Project Name
Labarik Aprende Lee (Children Learn to Read)
Location Implemented
Timor-Leste
Competition Entered
Grant Competition 2011
Reading Skill Targeted
Pre-Reading
Status
Winner
Collaborators/Partners
Alola Foundation & Institutu Mary MacKillop
The Challenge
Children in Timor-Leste are at a significant disadvantage for obtaining basic literacy and numeracy skills; many children spend years in primary schools without learning to read. The Government of Timor-Leste promotes Portuguese and Tetum as the country’s official languages, yet many children struggle to acquire literacy in either language due to resource-deprived educational environments in schools. Primary school teachers often have limited skills and teaching materials.
The Big Idea
This project aimed to improve children’s literacy skills by developing innovative and relevant reading materials, producing high-quality reading and teaching aids for educators and parents, and facilitating training for pre- and primary school teachers and workshops for parents to foster literacy within the home.
Results
Students (or those whose teachers/parents were involved) demonstrated improved literacy through higher test scores. Teachers reported they are better able to create supportive learning environments for students and that this is influencing children’s ability to learn. Mothers and fathers reported increased confidence and a sense of responsibility in supporting their children’s education in both the school and home-environment, improving parent-school and parent-child relationships.
Blogs and Media
News Byte // February 2, 2022Read and share free accessible books on World Read Aloud Day
Research and Resources
Let’s Read – Digital Library of Children’s Books
An early learning app that aims to teach all children early reading, writing and math.Let’s Read! Khmer E-Books
The Asia Foundation's online library of free, original children's books for and by Cambodians.The Asia Foundation / Melody Zavala
The Asia Foundation shares their ACR GCD-funded innovation to produce local language early literacy booklets for use by children and teachers in Timor-Leste.The Asia Foundation / Delores Vilanova
The Asia Foundation shares the context and challenges for an ACR GCD-funded child literacy and education project in Timor-Leste.
