Although the concept of communities of practice (CoPs) has been applied to many fields, the application within the context of the senior citizens' interaction must be different from those in the vocational arena. In Toy Clinic Shops (TCSs) in Taiwan, senior volunteers together sharpen their skills of repairing toys for school children, which can…

The following intergenerational literacy programs are described in this document: (1) a Boston University program that provides about 112 hours of training for work-study students who then work as tutors for adults; (2) a program that uses the paired reading technique to involve parents in the development of their children's reading in the United…

The Parents and Children Enjoy Reading project in the East End of London is an adult literacy and numeracy program based on the principle that one of the strongest motivations for adults entering a basic education program is the desire to be able to help their own children learn. Volunteers work in one-on-one or group tutoring settings to offer…

This report consists of three chapters: (1) workshop proceedings; (2) papers presented by experts; and (3) field survey, preparation, and field testing of materials. The proceedings contain an introduction, workshop objectives, participants, opening of the workshop, phases of the workshop, closing session, and recommendations. Five papers are…

The learning that parents accomplish through informal involvement in running preschool learning groups was examined through a survey of adults who were actively involved in a Pre-School Learning Alliance program in 1 of 10 locations throughout England. Of the 632 adults contacted, 311 (nearly 50%) completed questionnaires. Approximately 60…

About two-thirds of the 963 million people in the world who cannot read and write are women, according to the United Nations. Women who are illiterate cannot pass on literacy skills to their children. The United Nations proclaimed 1990 International Literacy Year and conducted conferences for literacy. Education for women and girls was designated…

This five-chapter guide for coordinators of community-based literacy groups working with prisoners is illustrated with prisoners' drawings. The first chapter examines issues affecting learning behind bars. Topics covered include similarities to and differences from other programs, respecting the learner's culture, links between poverty and…

This document contains information from and about the Family Numeracy program, a 1-year pilot program conducted in 14 local education authorities throughout the United Kingdom to identify the most effective methods of achieving the following goals: raise the level of home support for numeracy; improve the numeracy skills of 3- to 5-year-old…

The six articles in this issue attempt to answer questions that have arisen due to the increase in programs that cross existing or traditional age barriers in literacy education. They draw upon recent and current research and practice both in the United Kingdom and the United States. "Family Literacy: An Intergenerational Approach to…

This paper examines early childhood development, family, health, and literacy. It places particular emphasis on the need to consider the interrelationships of these factors when attempting to use literacy to improve the quality of life of individuals in developing countries. The paper begins with a discussion of learning capacity and a conceptual…

The benefits of family literacy programs for children were examined in a 1997 follow-up study in which 154 parents and 237 children who had participated in a family literacy demonstration program in 1994-1995 were interviewed along with the teachers of a subsample of the children and the demonstration program coordinators. The demonstration…

These eight bulletins, which are intended for literacy instructors, tutors, librarians, and others, contain reviews of literacy materials designed for use in adult literacy, adult basic education (ABE), and family literacy programs. Each review contains some or all of the following: title, author, publisher of the item being reviewed; information…

For 2 decades, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has sought to strengthen Nepal's formal and nonformal education systems and elevate the status of women in Nepal. The extent to which USAID women's empowerment and literacy activities have contributed to increasing and improving the basic education of girls in Nepal was examined…

Parental perspectives on family learning were examined through focus group discussions with parents who had participated in family learning courses at a nursery school, primary school, secondary school, and family support center in London, England. Five focus group discussions with a total of 25 family learning course participants, 2 in-depth…

A range of case studies is presented that describes the idea that literacy is embedded in social contexts in different cultural settings. Organized by theme, the book illustrates both the differences and connections between cultural groups. Although the case studies span the whole age range, the book focuses particularly on the variety of use of…