Literacy through Families

This chapter explores the critical role of family literacy in shaping children's early language and reading development. Drawing on research from education, psychology, and neuroscience. It highlights how socioeconomic status, home literacy environment, and shared reading practices influence literacy outcomes. Emphasis is placed on the importance of adult-child interactions and key family literacy programs that support both children's and adults' literacy development while fostering community engagement and intergenerational learning. Mixed findings in family literacy research are also acknowledged, underscoring the need for continued evaluation and design in family literacy initiatives. Ultimately, this chapter affirms that families are foundational to literacy acquisition and that well-supported, inclusive family literacy programs can have a positive intergenerational impact especially for those experiencing educational disadvantages.