FAMILY LITERACY Hixwell Douglas Ph.D April 8, 2015 JTA Conference.
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Transcript of FAMILY LITERACY Hixwell Douglas Ph.D April 8, 2015 JTA Conference.
Presentation Objectives
To deepen understanding of the role of Family Literacy in overall literacy development.
To empower school administrators and teachers with the knowledge and skills to develop family literacy programs.
Parents are a child's first and most important teachers. If literacy is to be valued in the home then it must be nurtured. (NCFL)
Parents have become so convinced that educators know what is best for their children, that they forget that they themselves are really the experts. (Marrian Wright Edelman)
FAMILY LITERACY
What is family literacy? How is it different from any other kind of
literacy? What makes a family literacy programme
unique? How can the school support parents in the
acquisition of literacy for family members?
The term, "family literacy," was coined by Denny Taylor to describe the meanings and uses of literacy in families.
The term now often describes programmes that promote literacy development in families.
FAMILY LITERACY
What is Family Literacy?
The term family literacy is used in several ways:
(1) to describe the study of literacy in the family
(2) to describe a set of interventions related to literacy development of young children
(3) to refer to a set of programmes designed to enhance the literacy skills of more than one family member (Britto & Brooks-Gunn, 2001; Wasik et al., 2000).
What is Family Literacy?
Family literacy can be thought of as: the set of oral, graphic, and symbolic means by which
family members exchange and retain information and meaning.
the general level at which family members use their
writing, reading, computing, communication, and
problem-solving skills to accomplish the various tasks
of their daily lives. (Padak et al)
What are Family Literacy Programmes?
Family literacy programmes are organized efforts to empower parents and
children to improve literacy levels.
have different focuses and different methods and use different techniques.
share a philosophy that literacy improvement is best accomplished when it takes place within the social relationships of the family.
PROGRAMME CATEGORIES
Type 1: Direct adult, direct children
Programme interventions focus on both adults and
children. Adults and children participate in the
programme together. The goal is to improve the
literacy skills of both adults and children.
PROGRAMME CATEGORIES
Type 2: Indirect adult, indirect children
No direct programme interventions for either adults or
children. Families participate together in literacy
activities such as read-aloud sessions at public
libraries.
PROGRAMME CATEGORIES
Type 3: Direct adult, indirect children
Direct programme interventions for adults. That is,
the programme emphasizes the literacy skills of
adults in the belief that the adults will, in turn, help
improve the literacy skills of the children.
PROGRAMME CATEGORIES
Type 4: Indirect adult, direct children
Direct programme interventions for children. The
programme emphasizes literacy skills for children
and encourages, but does not require, literacy
improvement for adults.
Components of Family Literacy Programmes
1. Adult basic education:
to improve the literacy of adult family members
2. Early childhood education:
to improve the literacy of young children
Components of Family Literacy Programmes
3. Parent education: to provide a place where adults can discuss and learn about such issues as family-management practices, nutrition, the importance of family literacy experiences, etc.
4. Parent and Child Together time (PACT):
a time where adults and children engage in literacy activities together, either within the programme or at home
What are Important Aspects of Family
Literacy Programmes?Programmes should offer literacy development for both parents
and children.
integrate services at three levels: parents, children, and parents and children together.
include parent and child interaction.
What are Important Aspects of Family
Literacy Programmes?Programmes should define the notion of "family" as broadly as
possible.
address the long-term goals of participants.
serve as an extension of the family; they should also recognize individual differences.
What are Important Aspects of Family
Literacy Programmes?Programmes should
involve strong participation by families in all aspects of programme development.
integrate adult learning principles in programme development and implementation.
What are Important Aspects of Family
Literacy Programmes?Programmes should incorporate goals that take into account other
agencies and support systems and provide links to these services.
provide ongoing monitoring of quality by all stakeholders.
Critical Perspectives on Family Literacy
Programmes1.The deficit model
2. The research vacuum
3.The silent gendered discourse
4.The missing social-constructivist perspective
Family Literacy Programmes Development/Implementation
Principles Strive to understand parents’ literacy
strengths and reinforce their knowledge and
skills.
Believe that literacy is acquired through
shared dialogue where learners are actively
contributing to their own learning.
Family Literacy Programmes Development/Implementation
Principles Provide opportunities for adults and children to reflect
on literacy practices in their daily lives.
Recognize the literacy history of parents and that all parents come with some memories of literacy.
Recognize that programmes grow out of needs of participants and their socio-cultural context.
Family Literacy Programmes Development/Implementation
Principles Adopt an empowerment philosophy and take
action to break down patterns of social isolation.
Respond to the interests of adults and children.
Document experiences gained from programmes and learn from them.
Parents: Keys to Family Literacy Programmes
Parents become keys when they: engage in language-rich parent-child
interactions provide support for literacy in the family hold appropriate expectations of their child's
learning and development actively embrace the parenting role form and maintain connections with schools,
communities and other resource persons
Suggestions for Parent Involvement
Promote healthy family communication
Read to and with children
Set reasonable expectations for children
Use routine family and community activities as teaching points
Suggestions for Parent Involvement
Provide age-appropriate reading materials
Choose educational toys and games
Supervise homework and T. V. watching
Demonstrate active listening skills
Use positive reinforcements regularly and celebrate success
Suggestions for Parent Involvement
Promote functional writing
Make literacy fun
Never use reading and writing as punishment
Provide a comfortable environment for reading and writing
Demonstrate patience
Develop a strong home-school connection
What are the Benefits of Family Literacy Programmes?
Outcomes for Adults Increased levels of literacy development and
education
Increased levels of personal growth and self-esteem
Increased prospects for employment
What are the Benefits of Family Literacy Programmes?
Outcomes for Children
Expanded concepts of print and greater language development
Improved English proficiency skills
Better performance when entering school
What are the Benefits of Family Literacy Programmes?
Possible Outcomes for Schools & Communities Less need for remedial programmes
Greater pool of qualified workers for community businesses
Stronger families to reduce crime and violence
Greater levels of community involvement
(Padak et. al.)
The More We Work Together
1) The more we work together, together, together,
The more we work together, the more success we’ll have.
For your child is my child, and my child is your child,
The more we work together, the more success we’ll have.
2) The more we share together, together, together
The more we share together, The more informed we’ll be.
For your goal is my goal, and my goal is your goal,
The more we share together, our goal will be achieved.
The More We Work Together
3) The more we trust each other, each other, each other,
The more we trust each other, our children will improve,
With your trust and my trust, and my trust and your trust,
The more we trust each other, our children will improve.
4) With home and school together, together, together
With home and school together, our children will achieve
(Repeat)