11.6 In supporting family learning, it is essential that recognition is given to the rich diversity of family forms and patterns now found in the United Kingdom. Members of families, of whatever shape and size need their own experience of family life to be both validated and enriched. Increased support for family learning can do this, at the same time as enabling families themselves to develop. The Government's White Paper, Excellence in Schools has already recognised the value of family learning and, in particular, the positive effects of parental involvement on the performance of pupils in school.
11.7 Supporting family learning will include, but go beyond, the valuable initiatives in developing family literacy, which have already been started. Family learning has just as much to offer parents, grandparents and other family members, as it has to support children in particular. Family learning can provide unique opportunities to create forms of inter-generational learning, reflecting all the major changes in roles and identities, which affect people as their lives, develop.
11.8 Most current practice in family learning focuses on parents and children learning together or alongside each other. The outstanding success of the DfEE and Basic Skills Agency Family Literacy programmes has been mapped by the National Foundation for Educational Research. The Parent Network runs a range of programmes by parents, for parents to develop and reinforce skills in parenting. Exciting pioneering work, in which parents achieve credits for learning alongside their children, is being undertaken with the support of the Community Education Development Centre, based in Coventry. Research amongst users of the Pre-School Learning Alliance shows that parents who attend pre-schools to help their children also develop confidence in their own abilities, moving on to take responsibility for the management and development of pre-schools, and to a wider range of return-to-learn studies and other learning for themselves.
11.9 The study conducted by NIACE (Riches Beyond Price, Making the Most of Family Learning) noted common aims shared by a wide diversity of family learning programmes. They included the development of self-awareness, self-knowledge, confidence and self-esteem, values and attitudes. Through family learning it is possible to improve personal communication skills, listening and assertiveness. Family learning can also help develop skills in problem-solving, handling conflict and dealing with stress.
11.10 Family learning can also contribute to understanding personal development at each stage of life from birth through childhood and adolescence to old age. Family learning can help understanding relationships within families, amongst friends and in wider social networks. Family learning is also about responding to diversity and equality in relation to race, gender, disability, class and sexual orientation. Finally, family learning can enhance the enjoyment of family life and shared activities and reinforce skills and knowledge acquired elsewhere.
11.11 In our view, Local Authorities should be encouraged to foster inter-agency collaboration in providing a wide range of family learning initiatives, and Government should make a commitment to expand provision of family literacy programmes.
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