Head Start Families Sharing Home Language and Literacy Experiences

Abstract

Although the Head Start program places great emphasis on family involvement, educators do not currently have a brief but comprehensive measure to collect information from families about the kinds of learning experiences they provide for children at home. The current study explored the utility of the Family Literacy Survey, a parent-report survey gauging the language and literacy opportunities for children in Head Start households. Results from the survey revealed variation across families in their home environments, although most families provided many opportunities for children to learn through play and through early academic activities. Tools such as the Family Literacy Survey could help Head Start educators support and refine their work with families.

Keywords:

• literacy
• language/speech
• family support