Last month, Words Alive received the Advancing Social Justice and Equity Award at the EDInnovate Showcase with The Jacobs Institute in Education at the University of San Diego. Our video entry presented the success of our Let’s Read Family Literacy Program model in equitably engaging families in the power of reading.
The EDInnovate Showcase is a virtual showcase, networking and awards event, designed for the educator community to share their work with other innovators, get feedback and receive recognition as an emerging EDInnovation leader. This year’s theme was “Inspiring Hope, Creating Joy and Igniting Potential!”
At Words Alive, we know that young readers grow on the laps of their parents and caregivers. Yet, research tells us that parents from underserved communities are far less likely to have access to parent education programs that support a working knowledge of literacy development and the skills that promote positive reading habits at home.
Our Family Literacy Program aims to empower parents as agents of change and advocates for their families by hosting workshops that teach them about early literacy development topics specific to preschool age children. Grounded in the power of play, each workshop includes a tailored information sessions and skill-building exercises for parents, a group story time and guided activities for parents and children. Not only do parents learn how to best support their child through these workshops, but the whole family grows their reading library and develops good reading habits together.
“Words Alive being recognized for the Advancing Social Justice and Equity Award was particularly meaningful and important to me,” said Dr. Faryl Kander, Family Program Manager. “Every day in education news outlets, concerns regarding children being academically behind, specifically in reading, are mentioned. Arguments over teaching approaches dominate the response to this concern while the underlying problem of access and equity in education is not addressed. Putting books in readers’ hands and creating joyful reading experiences for families is amazing, yet knowing that we are advancing social justice by creating access and equity is everything!”
Click below to see our submission and to learn more about our Family Literacy Program:
If you’re interested in getting involved with Words Alive or our Family Literacy Program, check out our volunteer opportunities here: https://www.wordsalive.org/becomeavolunteer