“Children are made readers on the laps of their parents.” Emilie Buchwald

MFSS, through a grant given by the Hawaii Community Foundation, has been established as a Family Literacy Center. Parents and children enrolled in MFSS programs can come to the center, located at 1844 Wili Pa Loop in Wailuku, to check out books, or just sit with their keiki and read. MFSS home-visitors, facilitators, and teachers are partnering with parents to help set personal goal for increased education and job development.

“Early language and literacy (reading and writing) development begins in the first three years of life and is closely linked to a child’s earliest experiences with books and stories. The interactions that young children have with such literacy materials as books, papers, crayons, and with the adults in their lives are the building blocks for language, reading and writing development. This relatively new understanding of early literacy development complements the current research supporting the critical role of early experiences in shaping brain development.”

“The concept of family literacy is firmly rooted in a substantial research base from several disciplines, including adult literacy, emergent literacy, child development, and systems analysis. “ A study conducted by the Ohio Literacy Resource Center at Kent State University showed “…family literacy programs do work, and that at least four groups benefit: children, parents, families as units, and the larger society.”

To learn more about the MFSS Family Literacy Center call 242-0900 or fill out the form below.

Program Information Request Form