Spanish Family Literacy

Situation:
Through a cooperative relationship with the SW Iowa Latino Resource Center in Red Oak, ISU Extension Families Field Specialists have provided educational resources to Spanish speaking families. Experience shows most of the participating families have limited English speaking skills, yet their children learn English while attending local schools. Families often have limited access to children's books in Spanish or books that include both English and Spanish words. Some parents also do not know how to nurture the language and literacy skills of young children.

Response:
A 3 session Family Literacy program was held at the Latino Resource Center in October/November 2004. Information from the Family Storyteller program was used or adapted so that English and Spanish versions were available. Each week a Families FS modeled reading a book and shared specific literacy skills. An interpreter was on hand to translate. Each family was given a book to take home and also participated in activities that could be replicated at home. To assist families in learning number skills as well as literacy skills, one of the books shared was, Fiesta, by Ginger Foglesong Guy. The book is about children gathering and counting items that they eventually put into a piñata they make. Then they have a fiesta or party and break open the piñata. Literacy skills shared were: read as a family, review and retell the story, and encourage children to participate. Accompanying activities were developed including a number matching game to help retell the story and families made twirling streamers from plastic lids and ribbon. Spanish music was then played and the children danced around with their streamers—fiesta!!

Results/Impact:
Twenty-four parents, grandparents, and children were in attendance. Ten book bags were developed, all were distributed and a couple more could have been used. A written evaluation was not shared but observations were made including:

• After the book was modeled, parents then read the book along with their children.
• To get the children involved, parents let the child say, “Que mas?” or “What else?” as it was printed on every other page. Some children also pointed to the items and counted them. Or parents and children held up their fingers to show how many items.
• The program was an enjoyable and fun evening for the families as they learned and practiced literacy skills.

Contact:
Mary Beth Kaufman
ISU Extension Field Specialist
Family Resource Management
906 6 th Street Harlan, IA 51537
Phone 712-755-3104
E-mail mbkaufma@iastate.edu

 

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