Most families experience a wide range of emotions when they first arrive in Canada. The Canadian immigration process itself can be daunting. Particularly if you have left your home in fear, or after experiencing life changing hardships.
The Citizenship and Immigration Canada Funded Literacy Program
A Citizenship and Immigration Canada funded literacy program helps immigrant families. The program aspires to make your experience of settling into a new country less frightening and confusing. The program is aimed at families with preschool aged children. It’s designed to support you as parents in preparing your young children for kindergarten.
How Does the Program Work?
The program, Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters, has already become better known as HIPPY. It is a 30-week program that utilizes the skills and knowledge of Canadian mothers. One of these mothers is paired with you and your family and regularly visits your home. On each visit:
- You get different books.
- Canadian mothers help you design activities to focus on the specific needs of the child or children within your family
- The adults and children read and share stories while taking part in a range of constructive play activities.
Helping Children
One of the key benefits of the program is that it takes place within your home.
Your child is in a safe and secure environment. They feel comfortable and are more likely to feel confident about taking risks in their learning.
The children develop more confident bilingual language and early literacy skills. This minimizes the risk of difficulties once they begin kindergarten. Being able to comprehend instructions and communicating will minimize fear and frustration. It also helps in avoiding potential behavioural problems both in the short and long term.
Other Benefits
- Immigrant parents (particularly mothers) can feel extremely isolated when they first enter the country. Few speak the language. They often have little contact with people outside of their own communities.
- Regular visits from a Canadian mother can be a fantastic opportunity to practice your own language skills. You also take part in social, as well as educational, activities.
- Parents with better language skills are more likely to become involved with their children’s education and be more approachable at the school.
- You as the parent gain a sense of independence, while you gain greater control over your children’s educational journey.
- Providing new opportunities for those that have recently arrived in the country is essential for our communities to grow and thrive.
Are You Interested in Immigrating to Canada?
If you have immigration questions and are interested in immigrating to Canada, we may have the answers you seek. We work with qualified immigration lawyers who can help. Contact us to book a consultation.
President & CEO
Michael Niren
Mr. Niren is CEO of VisaPlace LLC and the President and Managing Partner of VisaPlace Legal Canada, an immigration law firm based in Toronto, and VisaPlace Legal US a law firm registered in The District of Columbia, USA. Mr. Niren is a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto, a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Canadian Bar Association’s Citizenship and Immigration Section, American Lawyers Association, and an Associate Member of the American Bar Association.
