Family Literacy Resources
From the Provincial Literacy Resource Centre
Borrow these and other resources on the topic of family literacy. Anyone in BC may borrow from Literacy BC’s Resource Centre at no cost. We mail book loans to you. You can learn more about the Resource Centre, see the latest additions to the library, and search the library catalogue on the Web at http://www2.literacy.bc.ca/Rescentr.htm, or contact us for resource suggestions.
Contact Literacy BC to borrow these and other resources.Telephone: 604-684-0624 or toll free in BC: 1-800-663-1293. Fax: 604-684-8520. Email: library@literacy.bc.ca
Family Literacy Resources
Aboriginal Literacy and Parenting Skills (A.-L.A.P.S.): Facilitators’ Guide & Participants’ Material. By Laureen MacKenzie and Elaine Cairns. Calgary: Bow Valley College, 1998. [371.9797 M23]
This program is designed for people, with an aboriginal background, who may need help in assisting their children’s literacy development and who may wish to talk about their parenting strategies. The material is appropriate for lower level or intermediate English speakers.
Babies Love Books: a Guide for Grown-ups. By Catherine and Laurence Anholt. [649.58 A54]
This story for parents of babies or very young children, or any adult who is around babies, emphasizes the importance of reading to babies at a very early age. It is part of the BC Books for Babies program.
A Communication Framework for Family Literacy: Bridging Differences, Planning, and Building Skill Sets. Jean Fowler and Sydney Hook. June 2005. [649.58 F69 2005] Also available online at http://bctf.ca/TeachingToDiversity/BC-projects/FamilyLiteracy.pdf
This guide contains an introduction to definitions of family literacy and the role of interaction as fundamental to adult/child relationships.
Early Literacy Work with Families: Policy, Practice & Research. Cathy Nutbrown, Peter Hannon & Anne Morgan. London: Sage, 2005. [649.58 N87 2005]
This book describes the REAL (Raising Early Achievement in Literacy) Project in Britain includes examples of background theory, family literacy work, a discussion of interviews with parents and children, a framework for evaluating family literacy work, and examples of practical sessions for professional development.
Family Literacy and Health. [Web document] By Janet Shively, Suzanne Dionne and Lorri Sauvé. 2007. Available online at http://www.nald.ca/library/research/famlithea/cover.htm
Developed as a component of the Centre for Family Literacy's "Foundations in Family Literacy" resource, this module explores the relationship between health literacy and family literacy, and looks at ways that health and family literacy practitioners can work together to address common concerns.
Family Literacy: From Theory to Practice. Edited by Andrea DeBruin-Parecki and Barbara Krol-Sinclair. Newark, Del.: International Reading Association, 2003.
This book explores the theory related to family literacy, outlines specific strategies, describes some family literacy programs, and discusses assessment and evaluation.
Family Literacy Matters: a Longitudinal Parent-Child Literacy Intervention Study. Written by Lynda M. Phillips et al. Calgary, AB: Detselig Enterprises Ltd, 2006. [649.58 P45 2006]
By following families over three years, the authors of this Canadian study have convincingly shown the power of a family literacy program to change lives.
The Family and Parenting Program: Strengthening Literacy Skills through Parent Involvement. Prepared by Garth Greatheart, Project Literacy Victoria, for the National Literacy Secretariat. Victoria, BC: Project Literacy Victoria, 1997. [649.58 G74]
The purpose of the program is to promote literacy skill development by introducing parents to reading readiness and activities that can be shared with their children.
Get Set Learn! : A Case Study of a Family Literacy Program in Waterloo Region. By Lorri Sauve. Kitchener, ON: Project READ Literacy Network, 2006. [649.58 S76 2006]
This report provides a case study of a family literacy program in the Waterloo Region of Ontario, that was offered in the fall of 2003, fall of 2004, and spring of 2005. It provides background information on learning theories; demonstrates how the program incorporates the theory in its curriculum and methods of presentation; evaluates the program impact; discusses the factors necessary for success; and makes recommendations.
Growing into Literacy: Train the Facilitator Manual. Written by William T. Fagan and Mary C. Cronin. Memorial University of Newfoundland, 1999. [649.58 G76]
This manual and accompanying video will help anyone who is interested in becoming a facilitator of the PRINTS program. The goal is to help facilitators develop understanding, competence and expertise necessary to work with parents, teachers and other interested people.
Handbook of Family Literacy. Edited by Barbara Hanna Wasik. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum, 2004. [649.58 S76 2006]
This comprehensive, inter-disciplinary review of family literacy is “intended for professionals (directors and staff) and graduate students in the areas of family literacy, early childhood education, parenting and adult education as well as researchers and policy makers in family literacy.”
I Love When You Read [DVD]. Tremain Media Inc., 2007. [DVD 649.58 I46 2007]
This DVD features children and their parents engaged in easy, age-appropriate activities that support literacy and encourage a love of reading. Narrative by experts is included. This is especially effective at bringing literacy information to parents and caregivers with low literacy skills. To use this in a group setting, please request the copy with public performance rights.
Improving Primary Literacy. Edited by Anthony Feiler et al. NY: Routledge, 2007. [649.58 F45 2007]
This book demonstrates ways in which home and school literacy learning can be linked. Tried and tested practical activities from Great Britain are included.
Learning from the Weaving Literacy Project: A Report on the Process and Outcomes of the Weaving Literacy Project – and – The Weaving Literacy Planning Guide: Supporting Integrated Approaches to Literacy and Community Building in Canada. Smythe, Suzanne. Ottawa, ON: Canadian Association of Family Resource Programs, 2005. [379.24 S69 and 379.24 S697] Report is also available online at http://www.nald.ca/library/research/weave/cover.htm
The Weaving Literacy project brought together literacy organizations and family resource groups from 22 communities across Canada to develop and implement a literacy plan.
Let’s Read Together: Improving Literacy Outcomes with the Adult-Child Interactive Reading Inventory (ACIRI). By Andrea DeBruin-Parecki. Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co., 2007. [648.58 D43 2007]
Based on reading research and extensively field tested, this manual offers a method of evaluating the behaviours that promote quality adult-child interactive reading. In addition, a large selection of tips and activities to reinforce interactive reading is included.
LINC-Parenting Program: Manual and Curriculum Guidelines. Developed by Toronto District School Board, 2000. [649.58 L58 2000] Also available online at http://atwork.settlement.org/sys/atwork_library_detail.asp?doc_id=1002644
The LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) Parenting delivery model was designed specifically for newcomers with infants and young children. LINC parents learn English by participating in parent/child activities and guided group discussions about the development and behaviour of their children. It has made a significant impact on early language acquisition for both ESL parents and their children.
Literacy and Parenting Skills (L.A.P.S): Facilitator’s Guide and Participants’ Materials. Written by Laureen Mackenzie. Calgary: Alberta Vocational College, 1996. [482.00715 M115]
L.A.P.S. is a collaborative effort to meet the needs of those who wish to improve their literacy skills.
Making Choices: Parenting Program Inventory. [Web site] By The Canadian Association of Family Resource Programs, 2008. Available at: http://www.parentsmatter.ca/
This Making Choices inventory gives parents and practitioners information about parenting programs. The inventory describes programs in detail and also invites comments and ratings from users.
Monitoring Tools: Adult Goal Progress Chart: Family Literacy Programs in the Fraser Valley. [Web document] Developed by Pam Auffray and Penny Petersen. Vancouver, BC: RiPAL, 2006. Available full-text at http://www.nald.ca/library/learning/groundup/mtagpc/cover.htm
This document describes two tools developed in British Columbia to monitor progress and measure outcomes in learner-centred family literacy programs. They are designed to help learners as well as practitioners monitor their progress towards learner chosen goals.
My Mummy Couldn’t Read. By Carey Rigby-Wilcox. Saskatoon, SK: C Unique Creations Inc., 2007. [649.58 R54 2007] Also available full-text at http://www.seeabook.com/mummy.htm
This children's story, written from the perspective of a young boy, describes his mother's lifelong struggle with reading and how she overcomes it. It is suitable for family literacy programs.
Parenting for Academic Success: Teacher’s Resource Manual. By Janet M. Fulton et al. Louisville, Kentucky: National Center for Family Literacy, 2005. [649.58 F85 2005]
This 12 unit curriculum is designed for parents who are non-native speakers of English with children in kindergarten through grade three. It builds parents’ English language skills and increases their ability to support their children’s language and literacy development.
Parents Reading, Children Succeeding: Family Literacy Program. Betty Knight. Invermere, BC : Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy, 2005. [649.58 K55 2005] Also available online at www.nald.ca/library/learning/paread/cover.htm
The Parents Reading, Children Succeeding program is designed primarily for parents of children three to five years old. In the parent portion of the program, parents share ideas and activities that will help them support the learning and emergent literacy skill development of their preschool children. In the children’s portion, parents and children participate in a safe, fun program of activities that support and encourage learning.
Pathways: a Primer, Family Literacy Programs, Design and Development. Prepared by Rebecca King and Jennifer McMaster. Louisville, Ky.: National Centre for Family Literacy, 2000. [649.58 K56]
This book is designed to meet the educational needs of parents and their children together. Parents will have access to the training and support because every parent will be a child’s first teacher.
Promising Practices in Family Literacy Programs. [Web document] By Maureen Sanders and Janet Shively. Available online at www.nald.ca/library/research/ppflp/cover.htm
This article is organized around five statements of principle that are the basis of promising practice in family literacy. Brief examples of programs implementing these principles are described. While not comprehensive it gives an overview of the variety of family literacy work done in Canada.
Special Relationships : How Families Learn Together. Maureen Banbury. Leicester, UK: National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE), 2005. [649.58 B36 2005]
“What is the unique nature of intergenerational family learning, where family members are involved in joint learning sessions? This publication sets out to discover whether there is something unique about the learning that happens within the special relationships that are family intergenerational groupings.”
The Road to Reading [DVD]. Produced and directed by Kem Murch. London, ON: London Investment in Education Council and Kem Murch Productions Inc., 1998. [DVD 64958 R63 1998]
Designed for parents, this DVD demonstrates everyday activities that parents can use at home to encourage literacy. Suggestions are offered by parents, childcare experts, teachers and librarians. "Many strategies are presented, and the emphasis is on variety, constancy and enjoyment."
Simple Steps. By Yukon Literacy Coalition. Whitehorse: Yukon Literacy Coalition, [2005].
This workbook provides a step-by-step guide to planning and implementing family literacy projects in the community. It includes background information on family literacy, suggestions for different activities, and seven steps to plan your literacy project including writing effective proposals and monitoring results.
You Make the Difference in Helping Your Child Learn. By Ayala Manolson. Toronto, ON: Hanen Early Language Program, 2007. [649.58 M36 2007]
In clear, uncomplicated language, this book offers practical suggestions for parents and caregivers about interacting with children in a supportive way that encourages learning. A limited amount of text on each page is accompanied by colourful illustrations and cartoons.
Contact Literacy BC to borrow these and other resources:
Telephone: 604-684-0624 or toll free in BC: 1-888-732-3234. Fax: 604-684-8520
Email: library@literacy.bc.ca
