I had the great privilege to meet all the immigrant families for my literacy research this past Sunday afternoon. It is an exciting journey with these precious families who want to learn how to build and maintain a lifestyle of literacy not just in their homes but everywhere they go. Each family is distinct from the other yet the same in many ways.
One key importance of the study is been able to “transfer” the lifestyle of literacy to these wonderful families in their home environment. The family unit is the unit which builds up a person’s personality or who they become in life. Many studies have shown the correlation of children with strong family backgrounds as happier children who tend to do well in school. Schools in our country strive to have a good home-school connection to ensure the education of a well rounded child.
Family literacy is about ways families use literacy and language in their daily lives. It involves how families learn together, how they help children develop reading, writing and oral skills in their formative years. Furthermore, family literacy involves using literacy to maintain relationships with each family member and with the community at large. For many of us, family literacy comes natural and we don’t think twice about it. However, for many families right here in the United States, family literacy does not come natural. For many of these families, family literacy comes at a high price as many have to learn how to read and write as adults. Imagine a parent learning how to read and write for the first time and faced with raising children in our American culture. It is a difficult mix for these parents. Any adult knows how difficult it is to learn another language.
This research has opened my eyes to the crisis of illiteracy in our country. I discovered many things that demand action now and not later. The statistics are astounding. In a study that was conducted among the 20 most powerful countries in the world, U.S. ranked 12th on literacy tests. The last reported data from 2009 shows that:
Many thanks to the numerous literacy organizations acting daily, working to strengthen education among young people as well as adults. How can you help prevent illiteracy? Begin first by encouraging a young person in your life to read daily. Then consider volunteering your time with a local literacy organization. It will take everyone doing their part to eradicate illiteracy right here in our country-America.
“The home is the child’s first school, the parent is the child’s first teacher, and reading is the child’s first subject.” – Mrs. Barbara Bush
All the Best,
Feyi
One key importance of the study is been able to “transfer” the lifestyle of literacy to these wonderful families in their home environment. The family unit is the unit which builds up a person’s personality or who they become in life. Many studies have shown the correlation of children with strong family backgrounds as happier children who tend to do well in school. Schools in our country strive to have a good home-school connection to ensure the education of a well rounded child.
Family literacy is about ways families use literacy and language in their daily lives. It involves how families learn together, how they help children develop reading, writing and oral skills in their formative years. Furthermore, family literacy involves using literacy to maintain relationships with each family member and with the community at large. For many of us, family literacy comes natural and we don’t think twice about it. However, for many families right here in the United States, family literacy does not come natural. For many of these families, family literacy comes at a high price as many have to learn how to read and write as adults. Imagine a parent learning how to read and write for the first time and faced with raising children in our American culture. It is a difficult mix for these parents. Any adult knows how difficult it is to learn another language.
This research has opened my eyes to the crisis of illiteracy in our country. I discovered many things that demand action now and not later. The statistics are astounding. In a study that was conducted among the 20 most powerful countries in the world, U.S. ranked 12th on literacy tests. The last reported data from 2009 shows that:
- 44 million adults are unable to read a simple story to their child right here in America.
- 7 million Americans are illiterate
- 50 percent of adults cannot read a book written at an eighth grade level
- 30 million Americans cannot read a simple sentence
Many thanks to the numerous literacy organizations acting daily, working to strengthen education among young people as well as adults. How can you help prevent illiteracy? Begin first by encouraging a young person in your life to read daily. Then consider volunteering your time with a local literacy organization. It will take everyone doing their part to eradicate illiteracy right here in our country-America.
“The home is the child’s first school, the parent is the child’s first teacher, and reading is the child’s first subject.” – Mrs. Barbara Bush
All the Best,
Feyi
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