This brochure presents new perspectives and opportunities in family literacy. The brochure offers seven ideas as a definition of family literacy, and discusses why family literacy is important. It also discusses three areas where family literacy is taking place (studying the ways literacy is used by families, parent involvement initiatives, and…

Asserts that children's literacy development depends on the literacy environment at home. Provides suggestions for creating an environment which encourages literacy development. Notes that teachers should share these suggestions with parents. (MM)

Home and school literacy contexts were connected in a study that involved parents of 28 inner-city primary school children in developmentally appropriate and culturally sensitive literacy activities. Pretest and posttest data determined achievement and motivation differences favoring children in the family program over the 28 comparisons not…

A family literacy program was designed to bridge home and school literacy contexts by involving parents and children in developmentally appropriate and culturally sensitive literacy activities. The program's purpose was to enhance children's achievement and interest in reading and writing. The family program was a mirror image of a…

Encourages teachers to share appropriate information about books and reading with parents in order to influence storybook reading in their students' homes. (MG)

Children develop language-related abilities simultaneously from infancy onward, and the conditions that promote first language learning are the same conditions that promote total literacy development: a social context involving immersion, approximation, opportunity to practice, feedback, and modeling. Intended for teachers, reading specialists,…