National Children's Museum Releases Family Literacy Projects on a Budget®: A Trainers’ Toolkit

Book features cost-effective family literacy activities and resources for caregivers and educators

WASHINGTON, DC (April 30, 2010) – The National Children’s Museum (NCM) today announced the release of Family Literacy Projects on a Budget: A Trainers’ Toolkit, a publication that provides educators and families with affordable resources and activities designed to foster literacy at school and in the home. Developed by the Museum’s education experts, the book teaches school-age educators and family childcare providers to proactively address community literacy with PACT (parent and child together) teaching methods, creative hands-on activities, and inexpensive supplies.

“Every child deserves to grow up in an environment that gives him as many opportunities as possible to succeed,” said Wendy C. Blackwell, Director of Education at the National Children’s Museum. “Through this book, NCM has developed free and inexpensive experiences that empower families and children to investigate their own thoughts, ideas, and behaviors, helping to give children a brighter future as lifelong learners.”

Activities described in the book meet the criteria of family literacy services as defined by Congress, in that they incorporate the following:
* Interactive literacy activities between parents and their children
* Training for parents regarding how to be the primary teacher for their children and full partners in the education of their children
* Parent literacy training that leads to economic self-sufficiency
* An age-appropriate education to prepare children for success in school and life experiences.

Family Literacy Projects on a Budget offers resources, ideas, helpful tips, and suggestions to develop and present cost-effective literacy activities based on broad themes and familiar subject matter. Emergent reading skills such as identifying everyday objects, storytelling, vocabulary practice, letter recognition, and print and phonological awareness comprise an integrated, comprehensive approach to family literacy and are integrated into the book.

“The National Children’s Museum actively supports the needs and goals of families and educators,” said Kathy Dwyer Southern, CEO, National Children’s Museum. “Family Literacy Projects on a Budget is an excellent tool to help facilitate and advance family literacy to create a more educated generation that is empowered to improve their world.”

Family Literacy Projects on a Budget is available for purchase on Amazon. The book costs $20 plus shipping and handling.

Family Literacy Projects on a Budget is one of many literacy focused offerings NCM provides to families—from museum exhibits and programs to encouraging a child to read a book on their parents’ lap, the Museum is committed to this important issue.

Accompanying the book is a Family Literacy Projects on a Budget workshop that uses children’s books and a “green” approach to demonstrate comprehensive literacy activities that cut expenses, but do not compromise educational content. With a cost of 99 cents or less per participant, program providers use inexpensive, recycled, and found items to create literacy activities. Each training session offers “make-and-take” activities, such as book-making, dialogic reading techniques, and a costume and dress-up component. The workshop was launched in Kentucky in 2007 and has since attracted 1,200 participants, from 10 U.S. states, Palestine, and Bahrain. Assuming each workshop attendee replicates the training with at least 30 other adults and children in their respective communities, NCM estimates an overall influence on over 36,000 people. For additional information, or if you are interested in having a workshop in your area, please contact info@ncm.museum.

About the National Children’s Museum
The National Children’s Museum (NCM) is a world-class cultural and educational center that inspires children to care about and improve the world. Currently operating as a “museum without walls” through participation in community events and creative partnerships with other arts and cultural organizations, NCM will open an indoor space in November 2012 and an expansive outdoor experience in May 2013 at National Harbor in Prince George’s County, Maryland. The Museum is poised to become Greater Washington’s premier family attraction and the only national museum dedicated entirely to children and their families and caregivers. The National Children’s Museum was designated by Congress in 2003 and was founded in 1974 as the Capital Children’s Museum.

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