Ang Mo Kio Family Ang Mo Kio Family Service CentreService Centre

Providing a one-stop family support to the Ang Mo Kio & Seng Kang Residents

The Letter The Letter FriendFriendSharing is CaringSharing is Caring

Early Literacy Early Literacy ProgrammeProgramme

ObjectivesObjectives• To make learning accessible and fun• To inculcate interest in reading and writing skills• To help children recognize the sounds that alphabet make • To at least recognize the basic 26 letters’ sounds in words• To be able to identify the initial letters of words• To be able to allow parents to pick up some skills in teaching their children how to recognize and write alphabets.

IN A NUTSHELLIN A NUTSHELLTo promote the development of language and literacy in

the homes of children who are under-achieving age-appropriate literacy levels.

Desired OutcomeDesired Outcome• The children will be able recognise the sounds of at least 50% of the alphabet

• The children will be able to recognise the initial sound that a word makes and link it to the correct letter

• The children will be able to recognise 75% of the alphabet

• The children will be able to write 50% of the alphabet

• Parents are able to cover 25% of the curriculum on their own

Assessing Assessing ProgrammeProgramme1. Pre and post-tests administered to the children.

– Get Ready to Read! Screening Tool– Write letters in response to sound of the letters– Write initial letter in response to picture

2. Ongoing assessments by the volunteer through the weekly sessions.Recap what was taught every week.

3. Review to be done after 1 month (4 weeks, 4 letters) to reinforce the letters learnt throughout the 4 weeks.

Guidelines & Guidelines & Commitment Commitment ––

•Carry out your roles & responsibilities on a scheduled, punctual and reliable basis.

• When unable to meet your commitments, inform the Programme Executive & family as early as possible, at least three working days in advance ; and make arrangements for make-up sessions.

• If you are unwell, inform the Programme Executive/Social worker at your soonest convenience, and we’ll inform the family on your behalf

• To inform the Programme Executive at least four weeks in advance should you wish to terminate your service.

Roles & Roles & ResponsibilitieResponsibilitie

ss

Guidelines & Guidelines & Commitment Commitment –– Roles & Roles &

ResponsibilitieResponsibilitiess

If the caregiver or parent(s) is not at home, do not enter the house or conduct the session.

If they remain uncontactable, you may leave and inform the Programme Executive by the next working day via email.

Especially on weekends

Guidelines & Guidelines & Commitment Commitment ––

Code of Code of ConductConduct• No personal activity with the child / children outside of the home

premise & designated hours.

• No sharing of religion information or issue with the child / children & the family members.

• Do not promote private, personal or business interest with all parties involved in the programme, including the staff members & other volunteers.

• Refrain from wearing clothes that are revealing or contain offensive content. E.g. shorts, short skirt, singlet or t-shirt & tops with offensive words.

• Do switch off the hand phone or turn to silent mode during the session.

• Limit close physical contact with the child/children. E.g. piggyback the child, hug the child, do not allow the child to sit on the lap.

Guidelines & Commitment Guidelines & Commitment -- ConfidentialityConfidentiality•Do not discuss or share information of the child / children Do not discuss or share information of the child / children

& the family with other personnel. Approach the & the family with other personnel. Approach the Programme Executive for any feedback.Programme Executive for any feedback.

•Do not probe child / children for the family background Do not probe child / children for the family background information.information.

•Inform the Programme Executive if the child / children Inform the Programme Executive if the child / children shares sensitive information with you. E.g. Parents going shares sensitive information with you. E.g. Parents going through divorce, was caned by parents at home, etc.through divorce, was caned by parents at home, etc.

•Avoid taking pictures and video clips of the child / Avoid taking pictures and video clips of the child / children & family members unless permission is sought children & family members unless permission is sought from staff.from staff.

•No posting of video clips, pictures of the child / children & No posting of video clips, pictures of the child / children & family members on internet. E.g. blogs, Facebook, etc.family members on internet. E.g. blogs, Facebook, etc.

Guidelines & Guidelines & CommitmentCommitment–– Teaching Teaching MaterialsMaterials

•All teaching materials provided by the AMKFSC are to be All teaching materials provided by the AMKFSC are to be used solely for the purpose of the Letter Friend used solely for the purpose of the Letter Friend programme.programme.

•You can choose to use your own teaching materials or You can choose to use your own teaching materials or teaching aids to supplement the materials from the teaching aids to supplement the materials from the Agency. E.g. storybooks, educational toys, computer Agency. E.g. storybooks, educational toys, computer software, worksheets, etc.software, worksheets, etc.

•Do approach staff if you wish to purchase any other Do approach staff if you wish to purchase any other educational materials.educational materials.

•All other teaching materials provided by the Agency must All other teaching materials provided by the Agency must be returned before leaving the programme.be returned before leaving the programme.

Code Of Conduct Code Of Conduct –– Rewards, gifts, Monetary awardRewards, gifts, Monetary award

Money Matters, Rewards & GiftsMoney Matters, Rewards & Gifts

•No use of No use of personal fundspersonal funds to assist clients. to assist clients.

•We have no hard rules of gift-giving but make sure if you We have no hard rules of gift-giving but make sure if you buy for 1 child, buy for their siblings too. Best to give buy for 1 child, buy for their siblings too. Best to give something non-edible (sensitive, halal/non-halal, food something non-edible (sensitive, halal/non-halal, food poisoning)poisoning)

•Give praises and verbal encouragements when they do Give praises and verbal encouragements when they do well. You can use non-tangible rewards such as extra well. You can use non-tangible rewards such as extra playing time with computers games, play games with the playing time with computers games, play games with the child / children.child / children.( remember what you learnt in child management ( remember what you learnt in child management ) )

Guidelines Guidelines –– Rewards, Rewards, gifts, Monetary awardgifts, Monetary awardOther GuidelinesOther Guidelines

During the weeks where there are experiential activities, During the weeks where there are experiential activities, you may:you may:• take a break.take a break.• skip the home reading session and join the child for the skip the home reading session and join the child for the activities / outings.activities / outings.•carry on with the session.carry on with the session.

Focus mainly on conducting the curriculum & activities Focus mainly on conducting the curriculum & activities related to programme. Turn down requests unrelated to related to programme. Turn down requests unrelated to the programme, e.g. supervision of home work.the programme, e.g. supervision of home work.

Because we really want them to build on the fundamentalsBecause we really want them to build on the fundamentals

Guidelines Guidelines –– Rewards, Rewards, gifts, Monetary awardgifts, Monetary awardOther GuidelinesOther Guidelines

During the weeks where there are experiential activities, During the weeks where there are experiential activities, you may:you may:• take a break.take a break.• skip the home reading session and join the child for the skip the home reading session and join the child for the activities / outings.activities / outings.•carry on with the session.carry on with the session.

Focus mainly on conducting the curriculum & activities Focus mainly on conducting the curriculum & activities related to programme. Turn down requests unrelated to related to programme. Turn down requests unrelated to the programme, e.g. supervision of home work.the programme, e.g. supervision of home work.

Because we really want them to build on the fundamentalsBecause we really want them to build on the fundamentals

The Letter FriendThe Letter Friend Commitment to youCommitment to you

The Selection Process

• Conducted pre-tests with shortlisted children.

• Interviewed parents and briefed them on the guidelines and the importance of staying committed to the programme.

• Selected families are relatively stable.

The Letter FriendThe Letter Friend Commitment to youCommitment to you

Support to Get You Started Well

• AMKFSC Social Worker/Coordinators will accompany you for the first two visits.

• Provide guidance when you face difficulties in carrying out the curriculum.

• Address concerns & doubts you may have immediately.

• Ensure parent(s) / caregiver adheres to the guidelines & participates in the sessions.

The Letter FriendThe Letter Friend Commitment to youCommitment to you

1. Provide relevant materials & resources2. Provide Training 3. Share trainee’s progress – e.g. from pre-tests to

final tests4. Share compliments, feedback & comments from

the parents & children5. Encourage and invite you to join the child /

children for the experiential activities, as well as other related events with basic expenses covered.

The Letter FriendThe Letter Friend Commitment to youCommitment to you

Recognition

• Letter of Acknowledgement / Certificate of Participation / Testimonials (depending on length of service & level of commitment & dedication)

• Nominations for Volunteer awards (Agency)

The Letter FriendThe Letter Friend Commitment to youCommitment to you

Our AvailabilityOur Availability

- Programme Executive and Your Direct Report: Estelle Tan & Programme Coordinator

- Email: letterfriend@amkfsc.org.sg

- Contact Numbers: During Office Hours: 64535349 Please send an email (cc prog coordinator) after

office hours or weekends

Safety Safety && Well-Well-beingbeing• Keep watch over your personal belongings at

all times.

• Try to sit near the main door and stay alert and be observant.

• Social Worker will advise the Parent(s) / caregiver on keeping the door / gate locked or unlocked during the sessions according to the home environment.

• Avoid entering or leave the house if you spot a stranger whose behaviours and / or actions make you feel uncomfortable.

What’sWhat’s Next?Next?

Description Time

Home-based session start Date

One to Eight weeks after the training session

Experiential Activities Tentatively Three to Four times per year

We seek your understanding that We seek your understanding that matching may take a longer period matching may take a longer period

than expectedthan expected

What’sWhat’s Next?Next?

Description Time

Home-based reading start Date

One to Eight weeks after the training session

Experiential Activities Tentatively Three to Four times per year

Thank You Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind

can see ~ Mark Twain