The Effects of Parent Workshops on the Home Literacy Environments of Urban Prekindergarten Children

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if a series of parent workshops based on early literacy development would empower parents to provide their prekindergarten children with increased literature-rich materials and experiences within their homes. The fifteen subjects were the parents of prekindergarten students attending an urban school in western New York. The subjects attended a series of parent workshops which focused on incorporating literature events into everyday life activities. The subjects completed a pre survey and post survey. This researcher-designed survey was used as a pre-assessment and post-assessment to determine the quantity of literature-rich materials which were present and activities which occurred within each subject's home. This study shows an effective model for a parent workshop directed at helping urban prekindergarten parents develop their children's language and literacy skills in their home environment. The results of this study indicated that parents did provide for more literacy development to occur. It is apparent from the survey results, that the workshop participants facilitated an increased awareness of the text in their children's everyday lives.