Family Literacy - The International Reading Association has offered the following ideas towards a definition of family literacy (IRA, 1994):

• Family literacy encompasses the ways parents, children, and extended family members use literacy at home and in their community.

• Family literacy occurs naturally during the routines of daily living and helps adults and children get things done.

• Examples of family literacy might include using drawings or writings to share ideas, composing notes or letters to communicate messages, keeping records, making lists, reading and following directions, or sharing stories and ideas through conversation, reading, and writing.

• Family literacy may be initiated purposefully by a parent, or may occur spontaneously as parents and children go about the business of their daily lives.

• Family literacy activities may also reflect the ethnic, racial, or cultural heritage of the families involved.

• Family literacy activities may be initiated by outside institutions or agencies. These activities are often intended to support the acquisition and development of school-like literacy behaviours of parent, children, and families.

• Family literacy activities initiated by outside agencies may include family storybook reading, completing homework assignments, or writing essays or reports.

• Intergenerational literacy initiatives are specifically designed to improve the literacy development of both adults and children. These programs view parents and children as co-learners, and are generally characterized by planned and systematic instruction for both. Instruction may occur when parents and children work in either collaborative or parallel settings. The instruction for adults is intended to improve their literacy skills and at the same time teach them how to work with their children to aid their development.