Family Learning

What is Family Learning?

Family Learning is for mums, dads or carers and their children, to learn together as a family. We also run courses for parents to help them support their children's learning. This can include learning more about how children are taught at school or how to play with young children, so that they develop the skills they need. Family learning offers lots of fun, practical activities, tips and educational games to mums, dads and carers so that they can support their children's learning at home. We support parents to improve their own skills so that they can better help their children.

The family is the most important place for learning – after all, it is mums, dads and carers who teach children to walk and talk and support their development throughout their growing years. Family Learning encourages individuals to see the process of learning as an activity that carries on throughout their lifetime, and not just when they are attending full-time education. 

Where does Family Learning happen?

There are Family Learning activities running all over Islington. Around 1,000 families per year attend courses at 40-50 venues across the borough, including primary schools, children's centres, learning centres, libraries, community centres and local museums. Ask at your local school or centre to find out what is available.

Family Learning courses include:

Keeping up with the children - enables mums, dads and carers to become more confident in supporting their children’s education by understanding how reading, writing and maths are taught in schools today. This also enables parents and carers to improve their own skills.

Family Literacy and/ or Numeracy - provides opportunities for parents, carers and children to improve their reading and writing or maths skills.

Family ESOL - courses for parents and carers with low levels of English, to improve their language skills and understand how to support their children's learning in practical ways.

Play and language - supports parents and carers to explore ways of playing and talking with, and listening to their babies/ toddlers, so as to develop a greater understanding of early language development.

Wider Family Learning - includes a broad range of Family Learning activities, including arts and crafts, environment, volunteering in schools and Personal Development courses.

To get a copy of the full range of Family Learning courses available, and to discover how to set up a Family Learning programme at your school or centre, please contact:

Riona Aiken
Family Learning Manager
Adult and Community Learning
Islington Council

Telephone: 020 7527 4037

Email: riona.aiken@islington.gov.uk

Useful Links:

Islington's new Children's Directory is your complete online guide to services for children, young people and families.

Islington Children's Information Service

The Islington Children's Information Service is a telephone and web-based information system for children, young people and their families. The information includes lists of childcare, things to do, after-school clubs, services for children with special needs, how to find jobs working with children, health, family support services, tax credits and much more..

Parentline Plus is a national charity offering help and information for parents and families via a range of services including a free 24-hour confidential helpline, workshop, courses, information leaflets, email helpline and website.

24 Hour Helpline: 0808 800 2222