Family Literacy
We talk about family literacy and the adoption of shared reading habits a lot, but what does family literacy actually mean? This month, we’d like to take some time to explore the federal definition of Family Literacy with our partners at the Statewide Faily Engagement Center and National Center for Families Learning. Family Literacy has 4 components: -
interactive literacy activities between parents and children;
- support in parenting activities;
- parent or family adult education and literacy activities that lead to readiness for postsecondary education or training, career advancement, economic self-sufficiency, and personal goal attainment; and
- age-appropriate education to prepare children for success in school and life experiences.
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As we explore these 4 components in the next few newsletters, think about how your work as a child care provider applies to one or more of these four components. Do you think of yourself as an educator? You are! |
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| Rethinking Literacy
We often think of “literacy” as words and images that come in print form, but an expanded definition of the word, of which print is only a part, may be more useful in this digital age. Today’s literacy is often multilingual and may incorporate numeral, digital, health, and cultural learning and comprehension. We thus need to learn to build knowledge using a variety of sources and forms of representation. |
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What is Family Literacy
Want to learn more about the meaning of family literacy? Watch this short video from the Statewide Family Engagement Center to learn more. |
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Information in this month’s newsletter is drawn from National Center for Families Learning’s Literacy Brief. |
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When Dinosaurs Roamed the Library |
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At the Schuyler Library, there are parents and children gathered around a table laid out with dinosaur and patriotic red, white, and blue cookies. There are doting grandparents, representatives of Nebraska Growing Readers (NGR), and the librarian. There is the local Scout troop. And, in the midst of it all, there is a 10-foot orange-brown T-Rex working the crowd.
This is what a literacy community looks like.
Why is this unusual mix of characters gathered? To hear two recently released NGR books written by local author Sheri Balak read aloud. Balak is a lifelong community member of Schuyler who worked as a school speech and language pathologist for 44 years and who has penned Rex Visits Schuyler and What Scouts Do. The books came about as part of an NGR writers workshop held in the town. Balak is proud of her community and said she wrote the books because she wanted to “introduce the people who live in Schuyler to a little bit of the history.”
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Spend time bonding with your child over reading and an activity. Nebraska Growing Readers has plenty of books that allow you to spend some fun, relaxed reading time together, and then amp things up with an exciting activity. |
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| Fun on a Slide encourages outdoor activity and is a great way to set up a trip to the local park or backyard time. The book also gets children to use their imagination and to think about their impact on others who might use the slide after them. |
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A new school year is just around the corner and some children may be apprehensive about that first day. My First Day at Educare doesn't just speak specifically to the Educare experience, but it also offers a comforting story to any reluctant new attendees. |
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Did you enjoy reading these books? Want to read other books available in the NGR library? |
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The Nebraska Growing Readers website now offers a variety of family guides designed to inform and support families on topics such as health care, safety and prevention, wellness, language and literacy, development and parenting, relationships and behavior, and play as learning. The books are easy-to-read guides that can be used by providers and families. |
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| It's not always easy to know when it's best to speak with a doctor, and new community members may be reluctant to do so. Asking for Help offers friendly advice and encouragement on when to contact a medical professional. |
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View our full collection of Family Guides
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What is the Statewide Family Engagement Center (SFEC)?
The National Center for Families Learning (NCFL) leads the Statewide Family Engagement Center (SFEC) grant in Nebraska. In collaboration with local school districts, NCFL is implementing our two‑generation, four-component model of family literacy programming under the “Family Learning Community” program name. Current Communities are: - Bellevue Public Schools
- Crete Public Schools
- Columbus Public Schools
- Millard Public Schools
- O'Neill Public Schools
- Learning Community Center of North Omaha
If you're in one of these communities and would like to get connected to the Family Learning Community, reach out to Hannah Van Horn at hvanhorn@familieslearning.org. |
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See the great SFEC work happening in Nebraska |
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Want more information about Nebraska Statewide Family Engagement Center and NCFL’s work in Nebraska? |
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Join Our Facebook Group
Nebraska Growing Readers has a Facebook Group where you can get up-to-date information about the program; engage with this program and the other NGR provider sites; and share ideas, resources, and tips for getting kids excited about reading.
This private group, will require you to answer a question to get in. There are no wrong answers. We just want to assure a safe space specifically for providers. |
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| Learn More about Nebraska
Nebraska Growing Readers continues to build the library of content written by Nebraskans and about the various cultural experiences you can find in the state. Want to know more about Nebraska books? Visit our Spotlight on Books page to see what's happening in your state. |
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Nebraska Growing Readers is a collaboration between Nebraska Children and Families Foundation, the Nebraska Department of Education, the Statewide Family Engagement Center, and Unite for Literacy.
If you have questions of comments concerning the program, please contact Greta Carlson (gcarlson@nebraskachildren.org). |
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