Families, Culture, and Literacy
Jim Gage, Director, Southern Ute Child and Family Center, Ignacio, Colorado
Family literacy is a primary focus of the Southern Ute Child and Family Center. The center includes a Head Start program for children 3 to 5; the Shining Mountain Family Center, a National Family Service Center Demonstration project; an Even Start program which focuses on families with children ages birth to 7; and child care for preschool and school age children.
The family literacy programs contain three main goals for parents. First, improving their functional communication skills. These include developing abilities in reading, writing, and the use of technology in a first or second language. Second, having specific opportunities to develop needed life and job skills, including GED and Adult Basic Education. Third, using resources to help their children have successful school experiences.
Because the center is in a tri-ethnic community which serves Southern Ute, Hispanic, and Anglo families, staff is very aware that literacy occurs within a cultural context, and that values, beliefs, traditions, and expectations vary tremendously among the families. Cultural literacy is a critical area for mutual learning between staff and parents as they work toward communicating shared meanings around child and family issues. It provides keys to knowledge and behaviors which allow adults to function successfully in the workplace and children to function successfully when they go to public schools.
The Shining Mountain Family Center has developed an approach to family literacy that is both empowering for families and culturally sensitive to the children and adults it serves. It utilizes the following principles:
Work from a "family strength" perspective. Confidence in one area of the family must be fostered in order to help parents set goals and take action in other areas. Communication which emphasizes active listening and helping adults build self esteem and trust is crucial to this goal.
Be sensitive to cultural and learning styles. For example, the area's Native American families come from a strong oral tradition and "word of mouth" is often more effective in recruiting these families than are flyers or brochures. Learn about and respect beliefs and traditional views of children and families. Be aware that cultural conflicts about particular practices may necessitate working one-on-one or in a small parent support group.
Families and staff should be assisted in building bridges between cultures. As professionals, we must be willing to become "bi-" or "multi-" cultural if we are to help families gain tools to do the same. Communication and literacy must be developed around children and their daily lives. Most of the adults come to the center because they want to be better parents. They want good things for their children. Adults should be encouraged to be readers by helping them learn to read to their children. Culturally relevant books and materials should be integrated into curricula for adults and children alike. Foods and cooking are also bridges across cultures. Cookbooks which contain picture recipes and photos in addition to print can be used by both adults and children. Music and singing can also be utilized to develop cross-cultural literacy.
Acknowledge that you are in a true and equal partnership with families. Be open and you will learn as much from them as they will from you.
For further information on any of these programs, contact Jim Gage at (303) 563-4566.