Return-Path: <nifl-family@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) with SMTP id gB9CJ1X21872; Mon, 9 Dec 2002 07:19:01 -0500 (EST) Date: Mon, 9 Dec 2002 07:19:01 -0500 (EST) Message-Id: <NCBBKFFJMKFIFAGAFGNEIEHMDFAA.jlee@famlit.org> Errors-To: listowner@literacy.nifl.gov Reply-To: nifl-family@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-family@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-family@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: "Jon Lee" <jlee@famlit.org> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-family@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-FAMILY:1345] FW: [Fwd: Mother's First Book & Family Literacy Day] X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook IMO, Build 9.0.2416 (9.0.2911.0) Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Content-Type: text/plain; Status: O Content-Length: 3634 Lines: 82 Research Note 5 December, 2002 Mother’s First Book and Family Literacy Day in Canada Tom Sticht International Consultant in Adult Education In just over a month, on January 17th, 2003, those who work to advance adult literacy in the United States will celebrate the 128th anniversary of the birthday of Cora Wilson Stewart, who some regard as the founder of modern adult literacy education in the United States. Later, on January 27th, Canada will celebrate Family Literacy Day to increase awareness of the importance of parent’s literacy in the development of children’s literacy, and to advocate for family literacy programs in which parents and children learn literacy skills together. The work of Cora Wilson Stewart in the first third of the 20th century and that of family literacy educators of the 21st century finds an intercept in the understanding of the importance of the literacy of parents, especially mothers, on the educational achievement of children. In 1930, the Johnson Publishing Company published the first book in the United States aimed specifically at teaching mothers to read. Written by Cora Wilson Stewart, the book was entitled, "Mother’s First Book: A First Reader for Home Women." In the introduction to the book, Stewart explains that, "This book is a first reader for women who cannot read or write. It is for the teacher’s use in teaching such women, and by teacher is meant any person who helps a woman to read….While the book may be used in the class-room (sic), it is designed for use in the home. There are many women who can attend school, there are many others who cannot. Those who are unable to join a class or to enroll in school may be taught at home by the public school teacher or by an ex-teacher; or, if not by these, by a member of the woman’s own family, by a neighbor or friend. Never was there a finer, nobler task for a volunteer who wants to render a patriotic, helpful, constructive service." (p. 5) Stewart goes on to explain that, "The lessons are centered around the home and the daily activities. Based as they are on simple everyday tasks – the care of the baby, cleanliness, proper foods for the family, cooperation with the school and similar subjects – they aim not only at teaching women to read and write, but at leading them to better home practices and higher ideals in their home and community life. " (p. 5) The first reading lesson in the Mother’s First Book goes: "See my baby! See my baby play! My baby is well. I keep my baby well. " (p.11) Later, the lessons include instruction in the parenting activity of taking an interest in children’s schooling: "Some parents visit the school. They make a friend of the teacher. They invite the teacher to the home. The parent and teacher talk together. They plan for the good of the child. Then the child gets on faster in school. …" (p. 46) Though the Mother’s First Reader is couched in the ideas of motherhood and family of the rural populations of the United States in the early 20th century, the idea that mothers need to be literate and that through the intergenerational transfer of skills and attitudes the mother’s education can influence the subsequent educational achievement of their children, is a foundational belief of contemporary family literacy programs. What was true in the United States over 70 years ago, is true today, and we adult educators in the United States show our solidarity with our colleagues in Canada by celebrating the importance of family literacy education on Family Literacy Day, January 27th 2003. Some truths are truths, eh?
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