Parent/Child Reading Support Program

Literacy

Reading is a fundamental skill that is required for children's successful participation in school. Later in life, individuals who were unable to attain adequate reading levels during childhood face a cascade of deficits and social marginalization. By the end of third grade, predictions are already made about the probability of high school graduation, employability, dependence on welfare, incarceration, and decreased health outcomes. With 64% of fourth graders and 66% of eighth graders nationwide reading below grade level, illiteracy and low literacy constitute a silent epidemic that poses incredibly deleterious financial and human costs to individuals and to society. With low readers existing disproportionately in low-income communities, the children of low-income parents constitute a vulnerable sector of our society, at risk of poor literacy development and ultimately facing the above-mentioned disadvantages later in life. The purpose of this study is to empower low-income parents of elementary school children who are reading below grade level with strategies and tools to incorporate reading into their home routines; to inspire parents to approach reading with their children with an attitude of fun, positivity, and enthusiasm; to inculcate positive feelings towards reading among parents and children; and ultimately to increase the frequency of participants' home reading participation. The study will consist of a nine-week program including game playing, recipe following, neighborhood walks, trips to the library, and coaching on establishing reading resources and routines at home. Ten sets of parents will be recruited to participate in this study. Qualitative data will be extracted from field notes taken during intervention sessions and from parent interviews. It is anticipated that study results will provide information to occupational therapists to help parents better support their children's literacy development.

Reading is fundamental to children's successful participation in school and a prerequisite to success in a myriad of adult occupations later in life. A student who is reading below grade level at the end of third grade is four times more likely to drop out of high school, which frequently leads to a cascade of deficits including unemployment, reduced wages, poverty, incarceration, and poor health outcomes. 64% of fourth graders and 66% of eighth graders nationwide are currently reading below grade level, with low readers existing disproportionately in low-income communities. Parental engagement in literacy activities at home with their children has decreased in recent years, thus rendering children less prepared to succeed at school. The purpose of this study is to assess a nine-week literacy support program in a low-income community, targeting the parents of elementary school children who are reading below grade level. The program intends to equip parents with strategies to incorporate literacy participation with their children into their home routines, thus increasing their children's exposure to print, reinforcing academic skills at home, and providing opportunities for positive associations with literacy. Participants will establish times in their daily schedules for reading, identify locations in their homes to organize and store reading materials, and experience a variety of pleasurable ways to engage in reading, including game playing, recipe following, neighborhood walks, and trips to the library. Ten sets of parents will be recruited to participate in this study. Qualitative data will be extracted from field notes taken during intervention sessions and from parent interviews. It is anticipated that study results will provide information to occupational therapists to help parents better support their children's literacy development. Week 1: (Group Session at School) Meet & Greet - Food, Reading Games, Brainstorming, 60 minutes Week 2: (Group Session at School) Meet & Greet - Food, Reading Games, Introduction to Take-home Reading Kit, 60 minutes Week 3: (Home Session) Make Your Own Personal Library - Create a Bookshelf, Receive a Book & Reading Game to keep, 60 minutes Week 4: (Home Session) Read Instructions to Create a Fun Project: Food, Slime, Crafts Project, etc., 60 minutes Week 5: (Home Session) Read Instructions to Create a Fun Project: Food, Slime, Crafts Project, etc.,60 minutes Week 6: (Home Session) Library Visit & Neighborhood Word Identification Game, 90 minutes Week 7: (Home Session) Return to Library & Neighborhood Word Identification Game, 90 minutes Week 8: (Home Session) Book Making - Arts & Craft Session, 60 minutes Week 9: (Group Session at School) Wrap-up and Reinforcement - Food, Feedback & Reinforcement! 60 minutes Week 10: (Home Session) Interview and Reflection about Program, 35 minutes

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