scholarly journals Every Child Ready to Read: Taking Early Literacy Messages to WIC Centers

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 38
Author(s):  
Marisa Conner
Keyword(s):  
Early Literacy ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Family Engagement ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Infants And Children ◽  
Literacy Programs ◽  
Baltimore County ◽  
Outreach Effort ◽  
Literacy Resources ◽  
Wide Family

As part of a system-wide family engagement outreach effort to promote early literacy in low-income communities, Baltimore County (MD) Public Library staff visit all WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) centers in Baltimore County monthly. At these visits, librarians engage with families who are in the waiting areas before their WIC appointments. Each family is given a bag containing early literacy resources, including books, library card applications and fliers, information on early literacy programs and services, tip sheets for promoting the Every Child Ready to Read 2 practices, and Technology Tips for children ages birth to five.

scholarly journals Literacy lessons learnt from parents in a community programme

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 10
Author(s):  
Dawn Cozett ◽  
Janet Condy
Keyword(s):  
Early Literacy ◽  
Cultural Values ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Paulo Freire ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
Literacy Programme ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Home School Partnership

<p>The purpose of this study was to find out how parents can contribute to the early reading development of children in a Grade R class. The research was conducted in a low-income area in the Cape Flats. To gain a deeper understanding of the parents’ cultural values and aspirations when interacting with the Home-School Partnership Programme (HSPP) literacy programme, I elected to frame my study within the work of Paulo Freire, who argued that the purpose of education, at the time of his writing, was to make oppressed people passive. Qualitative data were gathered in a case study research design, utilising focus group interviews and semistructured questionnaire tools, as well as footage from a local broadcasting studio. The findings show that the parents, who were previously unable to assist their children with literacy skills at home, were keen to change and to be active partners in their children’s early literacy learning. This research is a descriptive example of how the home, the school and the community can collaborate in a meaningful and sustained way, especially in poverty-stricken areas where unemployment is rife.</p><p><strong>Keywords: </strong>case study, Grade R, literacy, parents; Paulo Freire; poverty; qualitative</p>

scholarly journals Mobile Phone Apps for Low-Income Participants in a Public Health Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Review and Analysis of Features (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Summer J Weber ◽  
Daniela Dawson ◽  
Haley Greene ◽  
Pamela C Hull
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Low Income ◽  
The United States ◽  
Infants And Children ◽  
Nutrition Program ◽  
User Reviews ◽  
User Input ◽  
Low Income Families ◽  
Electronic Benefits Transfer

BACKGROUND Since 1972, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) has been proven to improve the health of participating low-income women and children in the United States. Despite positive nutritional outcomes associated with WIC, the program needs updated tools to help future generations. Improving technology in federal nutrition programs is crucial for keeping nutrition resources accessible and easy for low-income families to use. OBJECTIVE This review aimed to analyze the main features of publicly available mobile phone apps for WIC participants. METHODS Keyword searches were performed in the app stores for the 2 most commonly used mobile phone operating systems between December 2017 and June 2018. Apps were included if they were relevant to WIC and excluded if the target users were not WIC participants. App features were reviewed and classified according to type and function. User reviews from the app stores were examined, including ratings and categorization of user review comments. RESULTS A total of 17 apps met selection criteria. Most apps (n=12) contained features that required verified access available only to WIC participants. Apps features were classified into categories: (1) shopping management (eg, finding and redeeming food benefits), (2) clinic appointment management (eg, appointment reminders and scheduling), (3) informational resources (eg, recipes, general food list, tips about how to use WIC, links to other resources), (4) WIC-required nutrition education modules, and (5) other user input. Positive user reviews indicated that apps with shopping management features were very useful. CONCLUSIONS WIC apps are becoming increasingly prevalent, especially in states that have implemented electronic benefits transfer for WIC. This review offers new contributions to the literature and practice, as practitioners, software developers, and health researchers seek to improve and expand technology in the program.

Results of a National Survey of Early Literacy Programs

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naomi Balla-Boudrea ◽  
Deirdre O'Reilly ◽  
Vivian Howard ◽  
Carol McDougall
Keyword(s):  
Nova Scotia ◽  
Early Literacy ◽  
Information Management ◽  
National Survey ◽  
Literacy Programs ◽  
Literacy Program ◽  
Conference Paper ◽  
Research Project

This conference paper reports on a national survey conducted in the summer of 2010 which sought to identify programs and gather information on their operations, programming and challenges. This research project was a joint initiative of the Nova Scotia Read to Me! early literacy program and Dalhousie University’s School of Information Management.Cette communication porte sur un sondage national effectué au cours de l’été 2010 et dont l’objectif était d’identifier les programmes d’alphabétisation et d’obtenir de l’information quant à leur opération, aux activités et aux défis. Ce projet de recherche est une initiative conjointe du programme d’alphabétisation chez les jeunes enfants Nova Scotia Read to Me! et de la School of Information Management de l’Université Dalhousie. 

The Development and Sustainability of School-Based Parent Networks in Low-Income Latinx Communities: A Mixed-Methods Investigation

2020 ◽  
Vol 57 (6) ◽  
pp. 2450-2484
Author(s):  
David E. Rangel ◽  
Megan N. Shoji ◽  
Adam Gamoran
Keyword(s):  
Elementary School ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Family Engagement ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Building Relationships ◽  
School Based ◽  
Quantitative Results ◽  
Over Time

Research suggests that school-based parent networks have significant benefits for children’s education, yet scholars know very little about how such relationships form and develop over time. This study uses interview and survey data with elementary school parents in predominantly low-income Latinx communities to examine how parents meet one another; how deeper, more trusting relationships develop; and how the size and quality of parent networks change over time in the presence and absence of a family engagement program. Interview data suggest few and infrequent opportunities for parents to meet one another, which makes building relationships characterized by trust and shared expectations more difficult. The quantitative results show positive short-term effects of the program but differential effects over time.

Helping Close the Digital Divide for Financially Disadvantaged Seniors

2006 ◽  
pp. 165-190
Author(s):  
Al P. Mizell
Keyword(s):  
Digital Divide ◽  
Computer System ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Essential Element ◽  
The Internet ◽  
The World ◽  
Nova Southeastern University ◽  
Individual Participant ◽  
The Individual

The Internet has become an essential element of all society today. Those who can access the World Wide Web have become active participants in the Information Age. Unfortunately, many individuals throughout the world do not have ready access to the needed technology. Furthermore, they do not have the required knowledge and skills to use the technology and cannot participate actively. As a result, this has created a world of information haves and have-nots. In this chapter, after examining the concept of the digital divide, data is presented that shows that those with low incomes and those who are older have little access to technology and the use of computers. Low-income seniors are especially limited in their opportunities to own a computer, and they seldom have the skills needed to use one for e-mail, search the Internet, and so forth, even if they visit a public library where they could use a computer without any cost. Various approaches being used to help seniors learn how to use computers are described, andthen the chapter focuses on two projects that have proved to be successful in this effort. SeniorNet is a national organization that helps establish learning centers around the country. The approach used at one such center, located at Nova Southeastern University in South Florida, requires seniors to pay for their courses. A second project is known as SeniorComp and is supported by private foundation funds. Ten low-income senior citizens are selected for each group of seniors in this project. They are given a complete Dell computer system, and their tuition is paid to take four of the SeniorNet courses. At the end of the fourth course, ownership of the computer system is turned over to the individual participant. To date, the completion rate has been 100%. The approaches used can serve as models for others to modify and use in their own communities. By adopting a similar approach, the impact of the digital divide can be significantly reduced for those low-income seniors that participate in the project. In this way, this portion of the marginal community can be empowered.

scholarly journals Changes in Food Consumption of WIC-Participating Infants and Children, 2008 vs. 2016 (P11-066-19)

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanne Guthrie ◽  
Andrea Anater ◽  
Diane Catellier ◽  
Wendy Johnson ◽  
Erin Quann
Keyword(s):  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Infants And Children ◽  
Expert Advice ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Reduced Fat ◽  
Food Packages ◽  
Food Package ◽  
Nationally Representative

Abstract Objectives The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides nutritionally at-risk low-income pregnant women, infants and children up to 5 years of age with foods tailored to their nutritional needs, along with nutrition education. In 2009, USDA made major revisions to WIC food packages to better conform to expert dietary guidance. Notable changes included increased fruits and vegetables, and lower-fat milk for children 2 years and older. This study uses data from the 2008 and 2016 Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (FITS) to compare foods consumed by children participating in WIC to foods consumed by children not participating in WIC before and after the food package changes. Methods FITS 2008 (n = 3273) and 2016 (n = 3235) are cross-sectional nationally-representative surveys of caregivers of children < 4 years living in the U.S. Trained telephone interviewers collected 24-hour dietary data. Tests of interaction were used to determine whether the trends in consumption of select foods between 2008 and 2016 differed between children who participate in WIC compared to those who do not, while controlling for income and household size. Results The percentage of WIC infants (6-11.9 months) eating vegetables increased from 2008 to 2016, but the % eating fruit (including 100% juice) was unchanged. WIC infants shifted from being less likely than non-WIC infants to eat babyfood fruits and vegetables in 2008 to being more likely to eat them in 2016; at the same time, the % of WIC participants consuming non babyfood fruit and vegetables declined. The percentage of WIC children (12-23.9 months) drinking whole milk increased and drinking reduced fat (2%) milk decreased in 2016 compared to 2008; whereas older WIC children (24-47.9 months) were more likely to drink low or nonfat milk and less likely to drink reduced-fat milk. Conclusions Babyfood fruits and vegetables, added to the WIC food package in 2009, have become important contributors to WIC infants’ fruit and vegetable intakes. In 2016, WIC children were more likely to follow expert advice to shift to lower fat milks at ages 2 and above. Significant changes in the relationship of these food patterns to WIC participation between 2008 and 2016 suggest an important public health role of the revised WIC food packages. Funding Sources FITS 2008 and 2016 supported by Nestlé Research Center, Lausanne Switzerland.

High Quality Early Literacy Programs

2001 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 14-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonie Arthur ◽  
Laurie Makin
Keyword(s):  
Early Literacy ◽  
New South ◽  
Adult Child ◽  
Literacy Learning ◽  
Literacy Programs ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Literacy Experiences ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Children's Home ◽  
Before School

There is an increasing recognition of the importance of literacy learning in the years before school. Key principles of high quality literacy programs for young children have been developed as the result of a recent study of 79 preschool and long day care centres in New South Wales. These principles include communicating with families about literacy, building on children's home experiences, planning to support individual literacy needs, integrating literacy experiences across the curriculum, and adult—child interactions that scaffold literacy understandings.

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