Literacy and Sunshine
Hi ya’ll. I hope this message finds you well. I’m writing this entry in anticipation of my trip to the National Conference on Family Literacy. All of my enthusiasm for this trip isn’t just because it’s held in Orlando, FL and I leave tomorrow for warm, sunny days. I’m most excited because of all the great keynote speakers and informational sessions they have planned. (I know, just by admitting that, it only further confirms my nerdiness…)
All that aside, family literacy is a very serious issue. Have you ever thought about how hard it must be for a child raised in a household with very low literacy levels to be successful in school? And if a child isn’t successful in school, research shows that the odds are unlikely for them to be successful in adulthood. Then the cycle continues.
Over the past three years, I have worked to broaden my definition of literacy. When I used to hear that word I thought it only meant someone’s ability to read and write. But, that’s not the only definition. It also means being knowledgeable on a particular subject.
So, let me reconsider the previous example with this new definition.
• Imagine how hard it must be for a child raised in a household with low financial literacy levels to grow up and spend their money wisely.
• Imagine how hard it must be for a child raised in a household with low social literacy levels to interact well with their peers in school and later in the workplace.
• Imagine how hard it must be for a child raised in a household with very low parenting literacy levels to grow up to be the kind of mommy or daddy their child deserves.
Imagine if every family could recognize an area where they could build their literacy levels and had the courage to ask for help - and when they did - their community provided the support they needed. This is exactly what we are working to do in Southern Indiana with our new Legacy of Literacy initiative.
This project is in its very early stages of planning, but we are very hopeful of the positive change it can help create. Would you like to be a part of helping make this change? We would love to have you.
Photo credit: ::: Billie / PartsnPieces :::
