What it is:
ELM and five partners co-created literacy kits to promote culturally specific ways of reading, talking and playing with young children. Together, we developed kits for six culturally specific communities in four languages.
Why it’s important:
The kits are designed to engage children and families in the five keys to literacy: reading, writing, singing, talking, or playing using everyday activities. Each activity builds early literacy skills and prepares children for success in kindergarten. More importantly, each version of the kit is an authentic reflection of the unique traditions and values of Vietnamese, Slavic, Latino, Native American, and African American communities.
How it works:
ELM and its partners distributed the kits through culturally specific organizations, school districts, health care partners, and Head Start classrooms. The kits were bundled together with culturally specific children’s books provided by the Children’s Book Bank and Multnomah County Library.
Results:
So far, more than 16,000 families have used literacy kits to help their children build early literacy skills. Thousands of kits have also been distributed in Washington County through the Early Learning Washington County hub.
Download the literacy kits:
- Created by and for the African American Community (KairosPDX)
- Created by and for the Latino Community (Latino Network)
- Created by and for the Native American Community (Native American Youth and Family Center)
- Created by and for the Slavic Community (IRCO)
- Created by and for the Vietnamese Community (IRCO)
- The Multnomah County Library produced an English version that is for groups that do not identify with any of the above.