Family literacy describes parents and children learning together. It can describe the way parents, children, family, and community members make use of literacy at home and in their communities. Literacy activities can be done daily through normal routines, and also reflects the ethnic, cultural, and racial differences of families. Family literacy programs are facilitated to encourage families to learn and grow together. These programs address the literacy needs of families across the United States, while promoting adult involvement in children’s learning and academic success. Generally, these programs provide activities to support development of parent-child relationships and increase learning motivation. Emphasizing the importance of families
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Currently in the United States, one in four adults cannot read above a 5th grade level, and as a country, we are dramatically behind in literacy skills (BarbaraBush.org). Many children come from disadvantaged families and struggle to gain the necessary literacy skills. In a nation where 36 million adults cannot read and write at the most basic level, parents need access to learn basic reading in order to support their children’s learning. The source of the problem is widely formulated as a lack of appropriate literacy practices in the home, and, further, in the case of bilingual families, lack of understanding of the language and culture of American schooling, compounded by a lack of institutional support for developing them (Auerbach, 1989). Family literacy programs such as Barbara Bush’s Foundation and others like it, strive to advocate, establish, and empower children and parents to succeed, and emphasize the importance of literacy in every home. They also strive to provide parents with concrete methods and materials to use at home with children, and promote “good reading …show more content…
I believe this is imperative considering parents rarely have the time to be fully involved in their child’s school. Work, poverty, other children, or lack of resources can affect a parent’s involvement. Family literacy programs are much needed in many communities and work as a support system and open opportunities for growth. Learning begins in the home, and parents need to understand the importance of their involvement in their child’s development and academic success. Literacy programs not only equipped parents with the necessary tools to do so, but also help parents promote good learning habits early on. They are not only beneficial to students, but also to parents. Parents are also able to learn any skills they may be lacking to be of better assistance to their children. Recognizing the learning potential of everyday routines will help parents guarantee their child’s
Currently in the United States, one in four adults cannot read above a 5th grade level, and as a country, we are dramatically behind in literacy skills (BarbaraBush.org). Many children come from disadvantaged families and struggle to gain the necessary literacy skills. In a nation where 36 million adults cannot read and write at the most basic level, parents need access to learn basic reading in order to support their children’s learning. The source of the problem is widely formulated as a lack of appropriate literacy practices in the home, and, further, in the case of bilingual families, lack of understanding of the language and culture of American schooling, compounded by a lack of institutional support for developing them (Auerbach, 1989). Family literacy programs such as Barbara Bush’s Foundation and others like it, strive to advocate, establish, and empower children and parents to succeed, and emphasize the importance of literacy in every home. They also strive to provide parents with concrete methods and materials to use at home with children, and promote “good reading …show more content…
I believe this is imperative considering parents rarely have the time to be fully involved in their child’s school. Work, poverty, other children, or lack of resources can affect a parent’s involvement. Family literacy programs are much needed in many communities and work as a support system and open opportunities for growth. Learning begins in the home, and parents need to understand the importance of their involvement in their child’s development and academic success. Literacy programs not only equipped parents with the necessary tools to do so, but also help parents promote good learning habits early on. They are not only beneficial to students, but also to parents. Parents are also able to learn any skills they may be lacking to be of better assistance to their children. Recognizing the learning potential of everyday routines will help parents guarantee their child’s