A Historical Perspective | What is Family Literacy?

What is Family Literacy?

In 1998, Congress passed legislation that defined family literacy as "services that are of sufficient intensity in terms of hours, and of sufficient duration, to make sustainable changes in a family and that integrate all of the following activities:

• Interactive literacy activities between parents and their children.
• Training for parents regarding how to be the primary teacher for their children and full partners in the education of their children.
• Parent literacy training that leads to economic self-sufficiency.
• An age-appropriate education to prepare children, for success in school and life experiences."

Family literacy programs bring parents and children together in the classroom to learn and to support each other's academic and non- academic goals. As parents identify their strengths and develop their skills, essential messages about the importance of education are passed on to their children. These parents and children soon develop as a team in learning and become partners for success.

Family literacy encompasses a unique educational approach that includes five separate but integrated components. Parents receive adult education, often focusing on improving job skills or English Language skills. Parents can also do volunteer work at their site as a means of learning and/or acquiring a skill. If needed, this would fulfill a requirement for the First To Work Program. Children receive individualized education that is appropriate for their age and developmental level. In addition, parents take part in classes that help them understand their children's literacy development in order to learn ways to support that development at home. One of the most unique elements of a family literacy program is Parent and Child Together (PACT) time, a regularly scheduled session when parents and children play and learn together through interactive literacy activities.

Why Family Literacy?

• Families are the child's first teachers.
• A family's cultural heritage is the foundation and asset for learning.
• Family members take on many roles-parent, spouse, caretaker, worker and citizen. These roles must be recognized and respected when engaged in a literacy program.
• Families gain skills and knowledge to help them reach educational and employment goals and their children prepare for success in learning.

Family Literacy in Hawaii

In the State of Hawaii we have several family literacy programs on many islands. Some of these programs are located on various school campuses within the Department of Education. Other programs are located at various community sites or organizations.

In Hawaii, family literacy is an approach to learning that incorporates the strengths and resources of families. It combines intensive long-range services in early childhood education and training for parents as their child's first teacher. It can encompass welfare reform, school reform and early childhood initiatives.