The Family Literacy Program provides support and resources for parents to become the lifelong literacy coaches in their households. While the Family Literacy Program offers books for ownership and literacy services to children ages birth-18 years of age, we focus on efforts to support literacy engagement during the early childhood years. All instruction is provided through role modeling and hands on learning opportunities. The Family Literacy Programs offers 3 levels of engagement for children and caregivers, allowing families to select their level of engagement in the program. Services include:
* The Book Ownership Program *Family Evenings *Literacy Outreach-Skill Building in the Home
The Family Evenings provide an opportunity for children and their caregivers to relax and engage in literacy opportunities in a fun yet challenging manner. Family Evenings allow families to experience literacy in new and exciting ways, opening their exploration of reading to all learning styles. Our curriculum includes:
* Music & Reading *Movement & Reading *Imagination & Reading *Young Authors *Real Life & Reading *Early Childhood Literature and Multiculturalism
The Family Literacy Program is currently funded through The Grow Up Great, PNC Foundation, Reading is Fundamental (RIF) and a collaboration with Educational Data Systems, Incorporated.
One of the strongest predictors of literacy ability in school age children is the number of books in the child’s home during the early childhood years. For each family we serve, every child in the household receives a book. The Family Literacy Program provides literacy services to approximately 1,000 low-income families in the City of Detroit each year.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT: We are especially grateful for the generous donation from Dearborn Heights Montessori. Lightly-used and new books for children and adults are always needed. Please email or contact CDI corporate office for more information about book collections: 313.429.3766VOLUNTEER: Please consider volunteering to assist with book distributions or Family Evenings. Helping caregivers and young children experience the love of reading requires a minimal investment of time that can make the difference of a lifetime for a child.
The Literacy Outreach is interviewing new families for the Literacy Outreach Program. Parents/caregivers
- with children between the ages of 2-6,
- whose income is defined as "low-income" by Federal guidelines,
- and who are interested in play-based techniques to develop early literacy skills
please contact our offices to schedule an information interview.
