Family Literacy What is Family Literacy? Family Literacy Programs are designed to demonstrate the importance of reading at a basic level. Programs may include adult literacy learning and / or may encourage families to model literacy techniques in their everyday lives. Basic Assumptions of family literacy programs: Parents are children’s first teachers Learning occurs outside of traditional school settings Learning is a life long process Adults are a powerful influence on children’s school success

Family Literacy What does the Research Say about Children? Children’s achievement in school and their general knowledge improves Children attend school more regularly and are more likely to complete their education Children’s oral language development accelerates as reading aloud to children is the most effective practice for enhancing language and literacy development Children’s reading vocabulary, comprehension, writing, phonemic awareness and decoding ability improve Children are healthier ESL children and their parents learn English Children’s motivation to read increases

Family Literacy What does the Research Say about Parents? Parents persist in family literacy programs longer than in other types of adult literacy programs. Those who persist have more opportunity to learn Parents’ attitudes about education improve; the value they perceive in education increases Parents’ reading achievement increases both native speakers and ESL Parents’ knowledge about parenting options and child development increases Parents’ social awareness and self-advocacy increases Parents enhance their employment status or job satisfaction

Family Literacy What does the Research Say about Families? Families learn to value education Families become more involved in schools. Family involvement in schools leads to better achievement for children Families become emotionally closer, which creates a more supportive home environment Families read more and engage in more literate behaviors at home Families build foundations for lifelong learning

Family Literacy What does this this this topic have to do with our school?

Family Literacy How can we develop an action plan for implementing this concept at our school?