According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 43 million adults in the U.S. read at or below a third-grade level. Low literacy in adults is linked to various social and economic issues. When these adults work to improve their reading skills, the benefits are vast, not just for them but also for their children.
Research sponsored by The National Institutes of Health found that “a mother’s reading skill is the greatest determinant of her children’s future academic success, outweighing other factors, such as neighborhood and family income.”
The Research Behind Family Literacy
Reading should be a family affair. According to the National Center for Families Learning, children in family literacy programs achieve reading gains at twice the rate of children in child-only focused programs.
Strong parental literacy can create lasting advantages for a child’s development. The “One Million Word Gap” highlights this: children who are read to regularly enter kindergarten hearing a cumulative 1.4 million more words than their peers who aren’t read to as often.
These findings highlight the critical role that family engagement plays in a child’s educational success, underscoring the powerful impact of supporting both parents and children in their literacy journeys.
Non-Native English Learners & Family Literacy
The U.S. has the world’s largest immigrant population, but only about 53% of those individuals are fluent English speakers.
Millions of sincere, loving parents face the challenges of building a life in a new culture, not least of which is learning to read the language.
Here are some ways those parents can encourage reading at home:
Reading in their native language: Reading, speaking, writing, and listening in their native language helps children with fundamental communication skills.
Telling stories: Parents can tell oral stories, sing songs, or make up storylines with wordless picture books.
Encouraging conversation: Parents can encourage and practice dialogue in English on a regular basis.
Using familiar vocabulary: Parents can build on the simple vocabulary they are learning and emphasize phonemic awareness through apps or other phonics learning resources.
Helping children think about connections: Parents can ask children how their language resembles or differs from English.
Borrow books from the library: Parents can use libraries to rotate English books in the home for free.
Schools can also support immigrant families by:
- Providing bilingual books, educational materials, and activities
- Offering professional development to staff on the importance of maintaining students’ native language
- Asking families when and where they could use support
Building Family Literacy Through Daily Activities
Whether parents are in a new environment or have never mastered reading for other reasons, it is never too late to create an empowering, high-quality learning environment at home. Family literacy thrives in the simple, everyday moments shared between parents and children. Parents don’t need to be fluent or flawless readers to create opportunities for learning that are both meaningful and fun.
Whether it’s a quiet evening at home or a trip to the grocery store, each moment offers a chance to engage in literacy-rich activities that contribute to a child’s development. Some of these moments include:
In the Home
- Following recipes together, combining reading practice with practical skills
- Creating shopping lists as a family
- Reading mail and discussing household documents together
- Telling family stories and sharing cultural traditions
- Writing notes and cards to relatives
In the Community
- Reading street signs and store names during errands
- Visiting the library regularly as a family
- Participating in community reading programs
- Exploring environmental print in your neighborhood
- Attending family literacy events at local schools
Through Digital Learning
- Using educational apps together
- Reading e-books as a family
- Practicing literacy skills through interactive games
- Creating digital stories together
- Exploring online learning resources
By embracing these everyday learning opportunities, families can weave literacy into the fabric of their daily lives.
The Long-Term Impact
When parents engage in literacy-reinforcing habits, the benefits for their children are profound and far-reaching. Children in these environments score higher on standardized reading tests, and their academic performance improves through high school graduation and into post-secondary education.
They also demonstrate enhanced critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Beyond academics, the advantages continue:
- Children often experience improved social-emotional development
- Stronger family connections
- Greater confidence in their learning abilities
- Better communication skills
These outcomes are the foundation for all kinds of success in life.
Take the Next Step in Your Family’s Learning Journey
A parent’s growth in reading skills benefits the entire family. When moms and dads build these essential skills alongside their children, it’s a win for everyone.
To explore resources supporting family literacy, check the Phonics.org site regularly. We are passionate about providing resources to support your family’s learning journey.
