The Need

Parents and close caregivers are the key to helping children unlock the magic of books. On average, children from low income homes are exposed to 25 hours of one-on-one reading, compared to 1,000 to 1,700 average hours for a middle income child. (McQuillan, J. (1998). The Literacy Crisis: False Claims, Real Solutions. Heinemann.)

Many parents grew up without being read to themselves. They may feel they are doing it wrong, or their children aren’t going to pay attention. They don’t realize how the simple act of reading to their children will impact their future. Parent BookClubs add value to the Reading Is Fundamental Books for Ownership Program by giving parents instruction on how to use books at home with their pre-K and Kindergarten age children.

To help a child establish good literacy habits parents must establish these habits themselves. The practice of specific behaviors during joint book reading promotes future academic success. (Cochran-Smith, 1984; Flood, 1977; Morrow, 1983).

Our Approach

Parent BookClubs meet once a week for six weeks. Parents of pre-K and Kindergarten students receive read-aloud instruction and practice, a free book each week, and take-home materials to help them extend their child’s interest and understanding of each story.

• Parents read to their children at the end of each meeting, immediately after practicing the story, when their confidence level is at its highest.
• Parents receive incentives to visit their local library.
• Parents get to know a school staff person who encourages them to stay involved even after the BookClub is over.
• Children get to hake home 6 “forever books”.

Impact

Last year, 276 parents at 12 schools participated in a BookClub and took home 1014 books. A six-month follow-up survey of parents who participated in fall BookClubs was very encouraging:

• 100% of respondents told us they read to their children every day, up from 47% prior to BookClub participation.
• Only 29% of parents had been to the library prior to BookClub participation. 86% attended the library during their BookClub, and 71% have continued taking their children to the library at least once a month.