If there's anything that I am a firm believe about, it's family literacy (or even just family instruction). Growing up, my parents were always strong supporters of my learning, and always helped me outside of school. This not only taught me responsibility and the importance of not procrastinating, but it also helped me be able to grow closer to them while they helped me with my school work. Specifically, family literacy is important because it brings children and families together to help them with reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Family literacy is not just helping with homework though. Family literacy also encompasses opportunities and learning together. For example, an ideal family that shares literacy would bring their children to museums or the library, or any other type of exhibit. This not only promotes learning and literacy in a fun and interactive way, but it also helps students and their families learn together. After all, families are the students' first teachers!
Last year, I was involved in an Immersive Learning program called Partners in Literacy where our main focus was actually on family literacy. We made exhibits with literacy stations for local families to come participate in, and we spent the entire semester covering the importance of family literacy and how to encourage families to do so.
One drawback of family literacy is the fact that not all students have a picture perfect family. In fact, probably over half of the students you have will be from split or broken homes, so it could be more difficult for children to work with these families. One thing that a teacher could do is give some opportunities for students to stay after school and work with you or go to the library or exhibits with you. Another thing you could do would be to reach out to the families, or the students themselves, and ask who would be willing to work with the child.
How would you encourage parents to participate in family literacy? Do you think it's important to the child's learning process? What would you do about students who lacked a stable family to do this with? Would you somehow provide them with opportunities too?
Katelynn, I've enjoyed reading your blog piece and I think you have a lot of good points in here. I remember growing to my mom reading me bedtime stories and then me reading her bedtime stories when I was old enough to read. I believe that really developed my literacy and helped me tremendously in school. You were exactly correct when you mentioned that not all families are lucky enough to have this support which is where the teacher comes in. Although it's hard, it's our jobs at times to step in and perform that "parent" role per-say. We must also keep in mind, that a lot of parents are trying their best and sometimes they simply just don't have the time to work on literacy skills with their children. I would encourage parents by sending home extra tools for parents that make it more efficient and less time consuming. If the parents do not have the time or cannot be convinced, I will allow time after school to work with my students. I will also allow time before school if the students want or can come early. It's important to remember that children can't always come early or stay after though so I will spend my last 10 or 15 minutes of class allowing students to work on homework and I will individually or do group work with children who don't necessarily have help at home.
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