Reading Summit Gives Parents Pointers for Family Literacy

Eighty-five parents participated in a day-long conference at Utah State University aimed at increasing parental involvement and literacy awareness.

Utah’s Deputy for Public Education, Christine Kearl, presented an official proclamation from Gov. John Huntsman declaring June as Literacy Awareness Month. The conference also featured keynote speaker children’s author Nancy Livingston, who gave suggestions to parents about choosing books for their children to read.

 

Parents then attended sessions presented by professors from USU’s College of Education and Human Services, teachers from Cache and Box Elder counties and state education and literacy officials.

 

“The sessions were interactive mini-workshops for parents each aimed at a particular age group,” said Marti Dever, USU professor of early childhood education. “Parents actually engaged in activities that they could go home and do with their children to support their literacy learning.”

 

Workshops were offered in English and Spanish, and topics varied from incorporating music and literacy to teaching children to use their local library. The summit was part of a collaboration of state government, local school districts, school boards, parent and community organizations and school community councils to educate parents on the importance of family literacy.

 

Writer: Kristen Weller, 435-797-1350, kristen.weller@usu.edu