Parent/Child Reading Support Program

Reading is a fundamental skill that is required for children's successful participation in school. Later in life, individuals who were unable to attain adequate reading levels during childhood face a cascade of deficits and social marginalization. By the end of third grade, predictions are already made about the probability of high school graduation, employability, dependence on welfare, incarceration, and decreased health outcomes. With 64% of fourth graders and 66% of eighth graders nationwide reading below grade level, illiteracy and low literacy constitute a silent epidemic that poses incredibly deleterious financial and human costs to individuals and to society. With low readers existing disproportionately in low-income communities, the children of low-income parents constitute a vulnerable sector of our society, at risk of poor literacy development and ultimately facing the above-mentioned disadvantages later in life. The purpose of this study is to empower low-income parents of elementary school children who are reading below grade level with strategies and tools to incorporate reading into their home routines; to inspire parents to approach reading with their children with an attitude of fun, positivity, and enthusiasm; to inculcate positive feelings towards reading among parents and children; and ultimately to increase the frequency of participants' home reading participation. The study will consist of a nine-week program including game playing, recipe following, neighborhood walks, trips to the library, and coaching on establishing reading resources and routines at home. Ten sets of parents will be recruited to participate in this study. Qualitative data will be extracted from field notes taken during intervention sessions and from parent interviews. It is anticipated that study results will provide information to occupational therapists to help parents better support their children's literacy development.