Engaging in Literacy: Latino Families Speak Up
Abstract
Family engagement has long been evidenced to contribute to successful educational
outcomes. In this qualitative study, we examined the language and literacy perspectives of
Latino families of young children. A total of 17 participants who each represented a Latino
family from a large urban city participated in focus group interviews. Interviews were
analyzed using qualitative methodology. The major themes that emerged from the
conversations related to how families define literacy, what literacy looks like in their home,
the messages schools give families about literacy, and literacy activities parents would like
for schools to promote