Reading and Parents Program (RAPP)
The Reading and Parents Program (RAPP) is an outreach initiative promoting family literacy activities for low-income families.
The program provides literacy activities for families with children 0-6 years old.
The RAPP program provides literacy packs (RAPP packs) that are fun and educational to parents and caregivers. Each pack contains a book for every child in the family, crafts, poetry, and reading and language tips for parents.
The RAPP program is run by staff and volunteers who visit eight different sites in the community. Every two weeks, volunteers and staff collect the old packs from families and provide new packs.
The program is available for all parents and caregivers enrolled in programs at Heartwood House.
The RAPP program is open to families:
- with children 0-6 years old
- who are attending a program at one of our partner sites (see below)
- also parents
For more information
If you are interested in having RAPP delivered to your agency/site, please contact Kim Oastler. If you are interested in volunteering with RAPP, contact Shalma Reynolds.
RAPP host sites
- Vanier Community Resource Centre – Circle of Care
- Heartwood House Programs
- Lowertown Community Resource Centre – English Playgroup and Baby Playgroup
- Ottawa Inuit Children's Centre – Family Literacy Program
- Overbrook Forbes Community Centre – Overbrook Forbes Playgroup
- York Street Public School – Kindergarten
Think about it…
Winter is a great time to learn what the word ‘pair’ means. There are even more things we use that come in pairs: mittens, boots, skates... Talk with your child so he or she learns that “a pair of something” means two. What things can you think of that come in pairs?
Children learn about numbers by touching and moving things as they count them. Your child can help you sort socks or mittens into pairs. Count as you sort, “One sock, two socks, a pair of socks!”
The book One, Two, One Pair! by Bruce McMillan has photographs of the many things that come in pairs.
Here is fun rhyme to say when your child puts on a pair of mittens:
The thumb in the thumb place,
Fingers all together!
This is the song we sing
When it is mitten weather!