National Families Week: Canadian Parents for French Celebrates the Parental Journey
Ottawa, October 9th, 2024 — Since 1985, Canadians have come together for National Family Week, celebrated this year from October 7 to 13. This week is a time to honour families and reflect on their vital role in our lives, with the theme “Celebrating the Parenthood Journey.”
Canadian Parents for French believes that collaboration among schools, families, and community groups enhances children’s educational outcomes. High aspirations and expectations from parents, especially regarding language learning, are crucial. Schools must partner with parents to align efforts in fostering effective learning environments.
Early exposure to language and literacy through reading and writing significantly boosts children’s success in school. This holds true regardless of the language they learn first. Children develop critical thinking and communication skills at home that aid in learning additional languages. Parents can raise bilingual children without needing to be bilingual themselves. By integrating French into family activities—through music, library visits for French books, apps, and parenting blogs—bilingualism can be embraced as an asset.
For practical support, parents can tune into the CPF French Footprints podcast, hosted by Amy Maan, a French as a Second Language learner, mother of two, and founder of 123 Petits Pas. The podcast offers insights to make learning French approachable and enjoyable. Listeners can find the series on Apple Podcasts or Spotify by searching for “French Footprints: FSL in the Early Years,” or visit the ‘Parent Resource Hub’ on our website.
Parents play a pivotal role in their children’s future success in French. When learning is enjoyable and valued, children thrive in English, French, and their home language. Since 2007, Families Canada has coordinated National Family Week, supporting families and communities through education and resources. #NFW2024
Families Canada is a national organization committed to providing the education, training, and resources that build, empower, and strengthen families and communities.
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Canadian Parents for French is a nationwide, research-informed, volunteer organization that promotes and creates opportunities to learn and use French for all those who call Canada home.
For more information:
Dominique Labas
National Projects Manager
dlabas@cpf.ca
Download the full press release here.