FAMILY LITERACY Hixwell Douglas Ph.D April 8, 2015 JTA Conference.

FAMILY LITERACY

Hixwell Douglas Ph.DApril 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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


Literacy Programmes?Programmes should

involve strong participation by families in all aspects of programme development.

integrate adult learning principles in programme development and implementation.


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.


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.


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


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


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


Outcomes for Children

Expanded concepts of print and greater language development

Improved English proficiency skills

Better performance when entering school


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.)

Not every teacher is a parent, but every parent is a teacher

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)

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.