Family literacy and Travellers

1. Family literacy and Travellers

2. Travellers in Ireland • Irish • Both nomadic and settled • Traditionally not engaged with education system • Marginal group • Face a lot of prejudice in society

3. Travellers in Ireland • Own language • Extended family very important • Cultural traditions of singing and story-telling • Cultural traditions, language and way of life under threat

4. Travellers and family literacy • Schools are difficult places for Travellers • discrimination and prejudice from teachers, pupils and other parents • very few books about Travellers • little tradition of formal education

5. Travellers and family literacy • Family literacy could be a good point of connection, but only if based clearly on: • true respect for traditions and culture • understanding of views about schools • advocacy and support role

6. Travellers and family literacy • Story-sacks: • craft still popular with some families – but not all • may help to retrieve women’s skills and confidence in story-telling and craft work • especially helpful if based on parents’ own stories