Program Stories
How Family Literacy Nights Turn Parents Into Their Child’s First Teacher
Posted
Ninety percent of a child’s brain develops by age five. The Latino Family Literacy Project gives parents the tools, and the company, to use those years well.
“Making puppets with my daughters was such a joy! Watching their imagination come alive as they used their puppets to tell stories was unforgettable,” said a mother in the Spring 2025 semester of BASIC’s Latino Family Literacy Project. For her and many other parents, these community reading activities have transformed not only their daily routines but also how they connect with their children.
Research shows that 90 percent of a child’s brain is developed by age five. These early years are critical for cognitive, emotional, and linguistic growth, making the role of parents and caregivers pivotal. But the demands of daily life, long work hours, household chores, and other responsibilities, can make it hard for parents to find time for reading and bonding.
Why the early years
- 90%
- Of a child’s brain develops by age five
- 0–5
- The ages the project serves, with a book in the mail each month
- 2
- Languages: bilingual books and vocabulary in English and Spanish
A break, and a habit
The Latino Family Literacy Project provides parents with engaging and accessible tools to make reading a sustainable and enriching part of family life. By fostering a routine of reading at home, the program not only strengthens parent-child bonds but also introduces children to the joy of learning and storytelling.
For many families the impact is transformative. Through group reading activities, the mother quoted above rediscovered a refreshing break from her daily routine while developing meaningful new habits with her children. “Currently, most of my time is dedicated to caring for my family and home, something I do with a lot of love,” she noted. Participating in the program let her connect with other mothers and engage in enriching learning activities. “It’s an opportunity for me to recharge and learn.”
Knowing that her daughters are enjoying reading and play activities under someone else’s supervision gives her the chance to comfortably connect and exchange ideas with other parents. As other families in the program agree, the nurturing environment not only strengthens children’s reading habits but also fosters a supportive space for parents.
How a session works
Designed by Lectura Books, the Latino Family Literacy Project makes reading a dynamic and enjoyable activity for children while supporting their parents. It provides Spanish-speaking families with bilingual books and activities grounded in preschool standards, alongside tools for learning English and Spanish vocabulary. The approach equips parents and caregivers with practical skills and resources to reinforce early learning at home.
- Interactive reading
- Children take part in the story: answering questions, predicting what happens next, acting out scenes. “This method transforms reading into an immersive experience, making it both enjoyable and impactful,” says instructor Flor Gomez.
- Books they choose
- Children pick titles they are genuinely interested in, from Babies of the World to Curious George Visits the Library, which each child receives on the field trip day to the library.
- Foundations
- Letters, numbers, shapes and phonics, woven into the stories, so children arrive at kindergarten ready. “The program strikes a perfect balance between sparking creativity and ensuring readiness,” Gomez says.
- Play
- After each reading session, crafts based on the book’s characters, retellings in the children’s own words, and word games that reinforce new vocabulary.
With these activities, my young daughters are learning that reading is a habit they can enjoy for pleasure and not as an obligation.
A mother in the Spring 2025 semester
What the school sees
Victoria Baay, M.Ed., PreK–12 Principal, Borrego Springs Unified School District
“BASIC’s Latino Family Literacy Project is such a valuable part of our community and schools. When parents are given the tools and support to engage in early literacy with their children, it transforms learning into a shared experience. Programs like LFLP not only prepare young learners for school but also empower bilingual families to celebrate language and literacy in meaningful ways. Investing in early literacy means investing in stronger families, more confident students, and a more connected community.”
Beyond the session
The program’s benefits go far beyond the children. By actively participating in the sessions, families acquire reading strategies that can be woven into daily life: bedtime reading rituals, dramatised storytelling, playful word games, and meaningful conversations about books. These techniques strengthen family bonds and cultivate consistent reading habits. “After the classes, when we get home, my daughters and I share the books of the week,” one mother adds.
The true strength of these strategies lies in their sustainability. Families are empowered to weave reading into the fabric of their daily lives, ensuring it becomes an enjoyable and natural activity for everyone involved: not a burden but a shared experience filled with laughter, learning, and connection.
The Latino Family Literacy Project is more than a program; it is a gateway to brighter futures for children and families in Borrego Springs. Special thanks to the Dr. Seuss Foundation and San Diego Foundation, whose generous support sponsored this semester and made its success possible.
Inspire a generation of readers
Join us in making a difference, whether by donating, volunteering, or simply learning more. The recording of our webinar explores how this program changes lives and how you can be part of it.
The Latino Family Literacy Project