A New Lens

Abstract

Families are complex, unique, and indispensable in developing literacy skills within children. Families inculcate cultural values, language, and home routines throughout a child's life. These familial routines and culture are vital aspects of family engagement. The past few years of educational upheaval due to the pandemic revealed the resilient nature of the family unit and the importance of culturally responsive family engagement in literacy development. Within an instant, family homes became schools, and family members the educators. While the transition was difficult, many families reported having a deeper sense of the instructional needs of their children and the desire to remain engaged in their literacy development. In light of this, it is vital that educators embrace home literacy and connect these practices to those of the classroom.