Families For Literacy Newsletter - Mar/Apr 2008

Families for Literacy Program

In 1988, the state of California created the Families for Literacy Program. This allowed public libraries already providing adult literacy services to add services to include the families of adult learners with preschool children. The Families for Literacy Program provides special services for Adults who are enrolled in our Adult Literacy Program and who have children between the ages of 0-5yrs.

For multiple reasons, there are many adults who struggle with issues around reading and writing. They may have stopped participating in high school, or dropped out altogether. They may have moved to a different state or country, or somehow bypassed the "normal" educational process. Regardless of their circumstances, when these adults begin to have children, they hope to create a better learning environment to foster their children's education, but may lack the confidence or resources. Families For Literacy aims to meet these needs by offering a variety of services: 

• Educational materials and resources for parents

• Tour of the library and opportunity to get a library card.

• Guest speakers and workshops

• Early literacy outreach for children at risk for low levels of literacy

• Book give-aways at schools and community events

• School district and resource information for parents

• Early literacy services for parents enrolled in certain literacy courses

• Early Literacy Lab and Kindergarten-Readiness Lab at the Branch Library (in the East Valley Community Center)

"I go to my own school, just like my mom. I learn letters and numbers in my class. I read just like my parents."

What does Family Literacy look like?

• Singing the ABC song on the way to the grocery store and then finding things that start with each letter of the alphabet while shopping. Older siblings participate by finding words that start with each letter of the alphabet.

• A family makes a weekly outing to the public library; while there the mother reads books chosen by the child to her children.

• At night, a dad makes up a story and then stops half way through to let each of the kids make up an ending to the story.

• A grandmother and her grandson make a grocery list. When they get to the store, each one takes half of the list and searches for the items.

• Every Saturday evening the family turns off the television for an hour and makes a large bowl of popcorn. Then every family member reads something of his or her own choosing. Sometimes family members share favorite stories about the past.

What do all of these acts have in common?  They all involve family literacy, and they all lead family members to greater achievement in and enjoyment of reading and writing. 

Family Literacy is an idea whose time has finally come.

For more information about our Families for Literacy Programs, please call Robin Parker at (760) 839-4272.