Allowing students to take self-selected texts
into the home environment not only makes it
possible for children to engage their families in the
reading practice, but also helps get them excited
about it. We know it’s empowering for children to
see themselves on the page. It’s just as affirming
for families to see themselves reflected.
Storytelling is another way for children to
engage their families in the learning process. You
can have students write and illustrate their own
stories that they then take home to share. Better
yet, design an assignment that calls for students to
craft those stories with their families.
Of course, you can always simply ask students
what they’d like to do with their families and build
literacy-oriented activities and goals around their
individual areas of interest. As is the case with
student-selected reading materials, this increases
the likelihood that families will be receptive and
enjoy the process.
Marcie Craig Post
ILA Executive Director
An effective family engagement strategy
built around these tried-and-true, child-directed
practices by no means replaces more traditional
paths. But challenging your own notions of
family engagement and exploring how you can
empower your students to help lead these efforts
can yield surprising results.
Have you tried any of these strategies, or do
you want to recommend some of your own?
Share them with us on Twitter (@ILAToday) or by
sending an email to literacytoday@reading.org.
LITERACY TODAY | March/April 2019 | literacyworldwide.org