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Literacy is a fundamental skill that lays the foundation for success in life. Yet, for many Black youth, access to quality education and resources remains a challenge, exacerbating existing disparities. As concerns about literacy rates among Black children continue to rise, experts emphasize the critical role that parental involvement, particularly reading to children, plays in fostering a love for learning and improving academic outcomes.
Literacy is more than just reading at school; it’s a collective process that requires the support of families, leaders and educators by improving home routines and creating an environment that sustains the fun of learning.
Getting a head start on early childhood education is critical to a child’s academic success. A long-term study by the Annie E. Casey Foundation found that students who aren’t proficient in reading by the end of third grade were four times more likely to drop out of high school than proficient readers. Those consequences are most likely to expand into adulthood.
For Black parents, navigating the complexities of raising literate children can be daunting. Some face limited book access, time constraints and competing priorities.
LaShawn Davis, a mother of two, admits to struggling with finding time to read to her children amidst her busy schedule.
“I know how crucial it is for my kids to develop strong reading skills, but with work and other responsibilities, it can be challenging to find the time and the support,” she said. “One of my kids struggles with reading and I’m trying to figure out the best way to help him improve when he is at home.”
Shelita Anderson, author, motivational speaker and minister, is equally a busy mother and businesswoman, and had to figure out how to prioritize her children’s learning around her schedule. She set up family meetings, took notes and set expectations and rules regarding what needed to be done at home to achieve academic success.
“My children are grown now, but at the time, I had to establish rules while also making sure that my children were comfortable talking to me and sharing what they are interested in,” she said. “It’s all about being intentional about what you want from your household.”
Anderson suggested that parents consider attending the National Black Book Festival to invest in children’s books created “for us by us.”
“It’s so important for parents to be involved with community resources like this,” she said. “We need to be more invested in the types of things our children are reading, especially with the advancement of technology.”
Dr. Monique Mills, an associate professor at the University of Houston’s Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders, said there are tangible strategies parents can use to help their children.
“We have to understand that kids are stressed and are trying to regain ground from COVID-19,” she said. “We should make sure they are focused on the things they are interested in.”
Dr. Mills recommends the following suggestions:
- Read and watch the news together. Follow up with the Who, What, Where, When and Why questions to improve reading and language comprehension.
- Take them to the library on the weekends, or use the school library if there is one.
- Utilize librarians as a resource. They are trained professionals in library information science and can navigate books that interest your child.
- Choose multicultural children’s literature to introduce different cultures.
- Leverage the use of after-school programs, community centers or children’s museums that offer free book readings.
- Sign up for audiobooks.
Belinda Mays is an award-winning author and speaker who promotes literacy and positive Black family images through her books. She noticed that her daughter loves animals while her son enjoys planes and trains. So, she collected newspaper articles and magazines to discuss the pictures.
“Sometimes it’s not all about what they’re reading but about having conversations. Storytelling is a big part of Black culture,” Mays said. “I leave books in different spots in the house and the car. I point to signs when driving, and my son spells them out. It’s a creative way to get them to learn.”
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