ROMLIT

Reimagining Early Years Literacies

Literacy, Belonging and Voice

Every child arrives with stories, languages, histories and literacies that deserve to be recognised.

ROMLIT is an innovative early years literacy project working alongside Gypsy, Roma and Traveller children, families, schools and communities across England.

We believe literacy is far more than reading and writing. It lives in storytelling, creativity, multilingual communication, relationships and community life. ROMLIT celebrates these diverse literacies and challenges narrow approaches that often overlook the strengths and cultural wealth of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities.

Through creative and participatory work, children and families co-author books, share stories across generations, take part in workshops, and help shape culturally meaningful literacy resources. Our exhibitions during Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month create spaces where children’s voices, histories and creativity can be recognised and celebrated.

ROMLIT is helping schools develop more inclusive, culturally responsive and community-informed literacy practices.

Why ROMLIT Matters

• Gypsy, Roma and Traveller children are too often represented through deficit narratives in education. ROMLIT takes a different approach.

• We recognise that children, families and communities already hold valuable literacy practices, knowledge and cultural traditions that deserve recognition within early years education.

• We believe literacy begins with belonging.

What We Create Together

ROMLIT brings together children, families, educators, artists and researchers to co-create empowering literacy experiences.

Together, we:

• explore children’s everyday literacies

• create books and learning resources with families

• support multilingual and intergenerational storytelling

• develop culturally responsive teaching approaches

• connect homes, schools and communities through creative literacy practices

• celebrate Gypsy, Roma and Traveller histories, cultures and identities

Working Alongside Communities

ROMLIT works across England in partnership with:

• Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities

• schools and early years settings

• parents, carers and extended families

• artists, authors and illustrators

• community organisations and researchers

Our work is grounded in participation, trust and long-term collaboration. We work with communities, not simply for them.

ROMLIT is underpinned by the LEARN framework:

L – Literacy and holistic childhood development

E – Enriching environments

A – A whole child

R – Resources and knowledge that are culturally sensitive

N – Novel, ongoing and tailored training

Stories, Creativity and Belonging

ROMLIT creates spaces where children and families can see themselves reflected positively in literacy and education.

Our work includes:

• creative workshops

• multilingual literacy activities

• collaborative storytelling

• CPD sessions for professionals

• exhibitions and public engagement events

• culturally meaningful literacy resources

Every story matters. Every literacy counts.

In this video, we tell the story of ROMLIT and we demonstrate how we worked with Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities, schools and professionals.

Please check for CPD sessions we offer to professionals and organisations.

If you would like to be involved, or for further information please email - Spyros Themelis  (S.Themelis@uea.ac.uk)