Initiating Family Literacy Projects Within a Head Start Community: A Two-Year Qualitative Study

• In Event: Family Partnerships and Impacts on Young Children’s Learning

Abstract

This presentation describes the impact and feasibility of initiating Family Literacy Projects within a Head Start community over two years. In collaboration with early educators and families, projects were created to compliment classroom activities and support early literacy development. Projects encouraged families to use their expertise and choose activities that worked best within their homes. Data collection included teacher focus groups, family and teacher interviews, family questionnaires, and documentation of completed projects. Analysis revealed that many families valued seeing their child learn and appreciated the structure of the projects. Early educators were willing to try the projects but were ambivalent regarding the participation of families. Implications for supporting literacy development in partnership with families and teacher preparation are discussed.

Authors

• Amber M. Friesen, San Francisco State University

• Gretchen D. Butera, Indiana University

• Jill Clay, Indiana University

• Alina Mihai, Indiana University

• Potheini Vaiouli, Indiana University - Bloomington