Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Impact of the Raising A Reader Program on Family Literacy Practices and Receptive Vocabulary of Children in Pre-Kindergarten

  • Published:
Early Childhood Education Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This research explored the effectiveness of the Raising A Reader (RAR) program on improving children’s receptive vocabulary and improving parents’ support of reading activities in the home. A total of 148 children in twelve pre-K classrooms were involved in this research study. In addition, parent surveys were conducted to determine if RAR improved parents’ support of reading activities in the home. Receptive vocabulary was assessed using the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test. The RAR is an evidence-based program that is designed to encourage parents to read to their children. High quality books were provided to pre-kindergarten classrooms and books were distributed to children weekly for 12 weeks. The purpose of the study was to determine the impact of RAR on: family reading behavior, family visits to the library, and receptive vocabulary of participating children. Findings show significant improvements in reading routines, quality of visits to the library, and significant gains in receptive vocabulary.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Burgess, S. R., Hecht, S. A., & Lonigan, C. J. (2002). Relations of the home literacy environment (HLE) to the development of reading-related abilities: A one-year longitudinal study. Reading Research Quarterly, 37, 408–426.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dunn, D. M., & Dunn, L. M. (2007). Peabody picture vocabulary test (4th ed.). Minneapolis, MN: NCS Pearson Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, P. A. (1991). Fostering early literacy through parent coaching. In E. Hiebert (Ed.), Literacy for a diverse society (pp. 199–213). New York, NY: Teachers College Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hill-Clark, K. Y. (2005). Families as educators: Supporting literacy development. Childhood Education, 82, 46–47.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kuhl, P. K., Feng-Ming, T., & Huei-Mei, L. (2003). Foreign-language experience in infancy: Effects of short-term exposure and social interaction on phonetic learning. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 100(15), 9096–9101.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martin, L. (1998). Early book reading: How mothers deviate from printed text for young children. Reading Research and Instruction, 37, 137–160.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mattocks, G., Manarino-Leggett, P., & Chao, S. (2011). Impact of the Raising A Reader program on family literacy behavior and support of children’s early literacy. Journal of Education and Social Justice, 1, 112–121.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nelson, C., Shonkoff, J. P., & Phillis, D. A. (Eds.). (2000). From neurons to neighborhoods: The science of early childhood development. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Raising A Reader National Office (RARNO) (2010). Fact Sheet. 1–2. Retrieved 30 November, 2010 from www.raisingareader.org.

  • Saint-Laurent, L., & Giasson, J. (2005). Effects of a family literacy program adapting parental intervention to first graders’ evolution of reading and writing abilities. Journal of Early Childhood Literacy, 5, 253–278.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saracho, O. N. (1997). Using the home environment to support emerging literacy. Early Child Development and Care, 127, 201–216.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Senechal, M., Lefevre, J., Hudson, E., & Lawson, P. (1996). Knowledge of storybooks as a predictor of young children’s vocabulary. Journal of Educational Psychology, 88, 520–536.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shen, J., & Alford, L. (2013). Raising A Reader: Year two evaluation report. Battle Creek, MI: Author.

    Google Scholar 

  • Snow, C. E., Barnes, W. S., Chandler, J., Goodman, I. F., & Hemphill, L. (1991). Unfulfilled expectations: Home and school influences on literacy. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Storch, S. A., & Whitehurst, G. J. (2001). The role of family and home in the literacy development of children from low income backgrounds. In P. P. Britto & J. Brooks-Gunn (Eds.), The role of family literacy environments in promoting young children’s emerging literacy skills (pp. 53–72). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Trelease, J. (2001). Jim Trelease on Reading. Retrieved 2 November 2010, from www.trelease-on-reading.com/rah-contents.html.

  • Weiss, H. B., Caspe, M., & Lopez, M. E. (2006). Family involvement in early childhood education. Cambridge, MA: Harvard Family Research Project.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the following for their support and contributions to this project: Wanda Wesley and Patricia Eaton, Pre-Kindergarten coordinators of the Cumberland County Schools District, Pre-Kindergarten teachers, and families who participated in our project. The research project was supported through the Department of Education Title I funds and by the U.S. Department of Education McNair Scholars Program (award P217A090037).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Sciences, Fayetteville State University, Lyons Science Bldg, Rm.329, Fayetteville, NC, 28301, USA

    Shirley L. Chao

  2. Department of Elementary Education, Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville, NC, 28301, USA

    Gena Mattocks, Amber Birden & Priscilla Manarino-Leggett

Authors
  1. Shirley L. Chao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Gena Mattocks
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Amber Birden
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Priscilla Manarino-Leggett
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Shirley L. Chao.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Chao, S.L., Mattocks, G., Birden, A. et al. The Impact of the Raising A Reader Program on Family Literacy Practices and Receptive Vocabulary of Children in Pre-Kindergarten. Early Childhood Educ J 43, 427–434 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-014-0670-5

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-014-0670-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation