• Develop culturally diverse content from a variety of different viewpoints and perspectives across the four components.
  • Incorporate in-class celebrations of cultural heroes and holidays.
  • Share cultural items such as—magazine pictures, family recipes, dramatic play props, information about holidays and celebrations.
  • Share family experiences through stories and artifacts.

Some parent education topics—basic children's growth and development information, or techniques for how to read to children, can be planned ahead of time. Almost every parent can learn something from these topics. While the majority of the sessions should center on the language and literacy development of children, deciding on all the topics for parent education sessions before the parents arrive may not take parents' interests and goals into consideration. Parents should have an opportunity to provide suggestions for discussion topics they would find most beneficial. A simple needs assessment can be used to determine parents' interests, as shown in Figure III-2. Once parents' priorities have been acknowledged, teachers can begin to gather resources and plan parent education sessions to meet parents' needs.

Figure III-2: Sample Parent Education Needs Assessment

Parent Interest Inventory. Place a checkmark next to the topic you would like to discuss.

Health
  • Women's health
  • Children's health care
  • Alcohol/drug abuse
  • Other ____________
Nutrition
  • Dieting
  • Meal planning
  • Children's eating habits
  • Other _____________
School
  • Child development
  • School Policy
  • Reading report cards
  • Other ____________
Children's Literacy Development
  • Vocabulary development
  • Reading encouragement
  • Literacy expectations
  • Other ____________
Family
  • Child discipline
  • Spouse abuse
  • Retaining home language
  • Other _____________
Community and Services
  • Local library
  • Social services/agencies
  • Local attractions
  • Other ____________
(Adapted from National Center for Family Literacy, 1997.)

Parent education happens in a variety of settings and in a variety of ways. Teachers serve as role models for parents who are learning new concepts. It is important for teachers to be explicit in their instruction, which is designed to help parents help their children. No matter where or when services are delivered, parents should learn new information, new ideas, and new skills; receive encouragement and support; and learn to advocate for themselves and their families.