Weber State University Family Literacy Program

Program Overview

The Weber State University Family Literacy Program served 221 lower income families in the greater Ogden area this past year. Family Literacy Facilitators made frequent visits to the parents in their homes and mentored them on engaging in literacy activities with their children and also developing positive discipline and child guidance strategies. These activities were shown to positively impact the family literacy activities, child's literacy skills, and parenting skills of those participating in the program. These outcomes are promising and create a foundation for later success as these children enter schools and society.

Cost Info

Student and Volunteer Success Stories

When I first met with Stephanie, she was going through a divorce and seeking parenting strategies to navigate the changes in her family dynamic. Stephanie expressed concerns about her role as the stricter parent compared to her ex-husband, who she perceives as the “fun and easy" parent. She wanted tools to better manage her parenting style and establish a balance that could help her support her child through the divorce process.

We discussed several strategies to help her build a more balanced approach to parenting. I introduced her to Dialogic Reading, focusing on how to engage her child in storytelling, with the goal of empowering the child to become an active participant in reading. This method was suggested to help Stephanie build stronger connections with her child while also fostering literacy skills. Additionally, we worked on establishing more predictable routines to create stability during the challenging time of the divorce. I recommended giving her
child appropriate transition time, such as announcing, "You have 10 minutes left to play before bedtime," and also helping her child learn to identify time with phrases like, "When the big hand gets to the top of the clock, it's time to wash your face and brush your teeth." We also discussed using a timer to signal the end of activities, allowing her child to better manage transitions.

Stephanie was introduced to an Authoritative parenting style, which is a balanced approach combining high
affection and nurturing with high control and clear expectations. We discussed how to implement this style effectively, emphasizing both emotional support and structure. She has started incorporating the Authoritative parenting style, balancing nurturing and warmth with consistency and clear expectations. She has found this approach helpful in reducing power struggles and providing a structured environment for her child. By using Dialogic Reading, Stephanie has enhanced her relationship with her child, encouraging them to become more
engaged in stories while also fostering a sense of connection and involvement. Stephanie has successfully implemented clear transitions by giving her child time warnings and using tools like a clock or timer to help manage transitions. This has helped her child feel more secure and better prepared for changes throughout the day. Through the practice of validating emotions and maintaining a high ratio of positive reinforcement, Stephanie has fostered a more positive and emotionally connected environment, despite the challenges of the divorce.

This summary captures the tools and strategies Stephanie has been using to support both her child and herself during a time of significant change. The combination of consistent routines, emotional connection, and clear
expectations has already led to positive shifts in her interactions and parenting approach.