Doodle Families
Doodle Families has been strengthening family literacy practices in Dublin 24 and beyond since 2016! This programme aims to foster family literacy through parents and children working together to enhance the literacy practices of everyone in the family. You can read some of the reports on Doodle Families here. Doodle Families boosts children’s reading habits. It offers children and parents a space to engage with literacy in a fun way. The programme focuses on the family’s own experiences, with sessions tailored to suit the needs of the individual groups.
Doodle Families in Your School
Dublin 24 schools: CDI, through the Area Based Childhood Programme and other funders, funds DEIS schools in Dublin 24 to implement Doodle Families. Funding is offered on an annual basis, and all DEIS schools in Dublin 24 are informed about Doodle Families’ provision via email.
Greater Dublin and Nationwide: Schools outside of Dublin 24 can implement Doodle Families with support from CDI. We offer training, a comprehensive programme manual, ongoing quality support, and a dedicated online portal. Before implementing Doodle Families, a funding source should be identified to cover staff costs, snacks, drinks and literacy resources.
Please contact Denise Lakes, denise.lakes@cdi.ie, Literacy and STEAM Coordinator, for further details and information on bringing Doodle Families to your school.
What is involved, and who can take part?
Children in first class and their parents participate in Doodle Families, which runs over 8 weeks. Parents attend a one-hour session, and children attend a one-hour session once per week. Parents can join in at the end of the children’s sessions, creating a collaborative learning environment. The sessions are designed to complement each other and focus on oral language development, school experience, and writing.
Has Doodle Families delivered results?
Absolutely! Doodle Families has made its mark in various schools across Dublin and further afield, including Dublin 24, Dublin 17, Drogheda, Limerick, and Cork. Our programme has proven benefits, including:
- Boosting Children’s Reading Habits: We’ve seen a positive impact on how children approach reading, making it a cherished habit.
- Enhancing Oral Language Skills: Doodle Families has impacted children’s storytelling and oral language development.
- Empowering Parents: We’ve witnessed parents dedicating more time to reading with their children, engaging in supportive reading activities, and honing writing skills at home.
- Building Confidence: Parents have reported feeling more confident in their literacy skills, boosting the learning environment.
- Growing Home Libraries: Families have stocked up on adult and children’s books, enriching their reading resources at home.
You can read some of our reports on Doodle Families.
Please contact Denise Lakes at denise.lakes@cdi.ie Literacy and STEAM Coordinator, for further details and information on bringing Doodle Families to your school.
What do Doodle Families facilitators have to say?
Sarah’s favourite week of the programme was the writing week, she shared with the parent group how she used to write stories all the time at school and realised now how much she missed that, the other parents encouraged her to take it up again.
Participating Parent
The benefits of this programme are evident. A parent stated last week that her daughters reading has improved and she is really enjoying reading now. I believe that the children have also become more confident as a result of participating in the Doodle Families programme.
Participating Teacher
Our first almost-silent sessions have evolved into lively discussions and have brought about new friendships. It’s been a joy watching our grown-up participants grow more confident about reading with their children, doing homework with them, and teaching them! We now have fourteen adults who understand the huge role they play in the child’s education, and who feel more empowered to make that difference.
Participating Teacher