Even when schools are doing the best they can to teach our children to read, their efforts are diminished if children do not get the proper support at home. To help address this problem, the Foundation created Family Reading, a unique literacy program of BookPALS.

Family Reading is designed to help adults interact with and read to their children. Ellen Nathan, National BookPALS Director and award-winning Language Arts Specialist, works with other professionals to help parents take an active role in developing their childrens' language skills. Family Reading is an opportunity for parents to learn the titles of age appropriate, educational and fun books to share with their children. They also learn how to relate the story to the child in a way that is engaging. Family Reading is funded entirely by individual and corporate sponsorships.

Program Objectives for Adults:

• Foster an adult-child relationship with books

• Increase proficiency in reading and discussion

• Build confidence as a reader and a learner

• Increase reading enjoyment

• Provide tools for selecting good books for children

Program Objectives for Children:

• Raise reading proficiency

• Make reading fun

• Encourage reading in the home as part of a regular routine

• Increase accessibility of books in the home

Results:

• Adults learn how to help their children through hands-on practice

• Adults gain confidence and skills for taking an active role in the education of their children

• Adults gain an awareness of the importance of language and creating opportunities for language activities in the home

• Children's literature becomes a part of the home environment

The Family Reading program is active in several Los Angeles and Florida schools. The Foundation plans to expand the program to all schools that currently have BookPALS readers.

"Family involvement is the key to a student's academic success."

— Partnership for Family Involvement in Education

Los Angeles-area parents and children participating in the Family Reading Program.

Parents of Arizona students participating in the "Family Reading" program, made possible by a grant from Starbucks.

Last Updated Wednesday, April 27 2005 @ 01:00 PM EDT; 16,145 Hits