Handbook of Family Literacy

Providing intervention services for at-risk children and their families has become a major goal of countries throughout the world. A vital part of this movement is the introduction of family literacy services not only in the US but throughout Europe, Africa, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The emerging field of family literacy, which cuts across early childhood education, early literacy development, parent education, adult education, and parent-child literacy interactions has never had a comprehensive volume that pulls together and integrates its many interacting components. That is the mission of this Handbook. It provides an up-to-date picture of existing family literacy programs, of the research and theories that guide these programs, of current issues, and of likely future directions. The new edition of this Handbookfocuses on the intergenerational transfer of literacy and shows why family literacy is basic to the goals of any country. It discusses the latest developments in child and adult literacy, parent education, and the implications of family literacy for home visiting programs. Information on culture and diversity remain central to the discussion of family literacy and new information on the role of fathers is presented. Comprehensive Coverage “ Whereas many books deal with various components of this broad and loosely coupled field, this is the first to profile and integrate its many overlapping components. New Information “ In addition to updating all topics, there is an increased focus on the role of fathers, on second language learners, and on procedures for meeting the needs of specific ethnic groups. Recommendations for Practice “ Information essential to the development of curriculum and instructional practices in integrated throughout the book. Program recommendations cover such topics as integrating the curriculum, enriching early childhood classrooms, enhancing parent-child literacy interactions, and coordinating with other agencies.

Barbara Hanna Wasik, PhD, holds a William R. Kenan, Jr. Distinguished Professorship in the School of Education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she is also a Fellow of the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute. A clinical and school psychologist, she has devoted most of her professional career to developing and evaluating intervention programs for children at risk of social, emotional, or academic difficulties. She was an invited participant to the White House Conference on Child Care and served as a member of the Committee on Early Childhood Pedagogy of the National Academy of Sciences. She co-authored Home Visiting; Procedures for Helping Families and the Handbook of Child Development and Early Intervention.