Parent workshop series give adults the chance to explore their own creativity, develop basic visual literacy skills, and explore how to use everyday objects and environments as conversation starters with young children.

Series range in length from 3 weeks to 6 weeks per sequence. Each sequence includes some activities within the community and the development of a teaching tool to use with children.

Parents brainstorm and role play with one another to explore how what they are learning relates to what their children learn in school and how to apply their new skills  to engage their children in discovery and informal learning.  Each series ends with parents making a teaching tool that they can use with their children.

The workshops create a strong social environment of creativity and comraderie among the participants. The process reinforces  under-used skills and knowledge and supports confidence and competence.

One of LLF’s goals is to create a corps of PALs,  Parent Alumni Leaders, who can become teaching assistants and perhaps take over the program within their own community.

LLF trains trainers and provides the materials and ongoing technical assistance to support this program.Within 50 miles of the District of Columbia, LLF  can provide direct service or train the trainers.