Family involvement in everyday language- and literacy-related activities has a significant impact on children's language development and acquisition of early literacy skills. Early language and literacy activities at home contribute to differences when children enter school.
Parental attitudes and activities also convey messages about schooling, work, the joy of learning and the value of education. Children who see literacy as a family value and learn early on that reading and writing are pleasurable, important and meaningful are more successful in school.
Family activities that can prepare young children for school include:
-- adults talking with children
-- adults reading books with children
-- adults reading books for their own enjoyment
-- families accessing community resources, including libraries and museums
-- adults and children using reading and writing in everyday activities
In addition, father involvement at home and school may be linked to higher literacy achievement of boys. Other factors outside the home that contribute to challenges children experience include lack of social, political and economic support for families in dealing with housing, health and other social problems.
Finally, how families view and deal with literacy also has numerous issues. Many factors impact families' willingness and ability to engage in literacy-related activities, such as reading to children or pursuing their own education. While other families may view literacy as work rather than an activity to engage in for personal enjoyment and pleasure.
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Source: Second in a series of nine fact sheets developed through a national research project -- StoryQUEST -- through the California Institute of Human Services, Sonoma State University; adapted by Janet S. Hanna, Kayla Hinrichs and Carla Mahar, extension educators; John DeFrain, family life specialist
NOVEMBER
4 Teen Supremes
5 Livestock Committee Meeting
9 Volunteer R & R Registrations Due
12 Office Closed-Veterans Day observed
13 Request District Award Information
15 Scholarship Workshop, West Point
17 Volunteer R & R, Lincoln
17-19 NE Youth Beef Leadership Symposium
22-23 Office Closed-Thanksgiving Holiday
26 4-H Council
