| This study is a series of interviews conducted with three families participating in a family literacy program in rural NH. These families were asked a series of questions about their participation in community literacy events and supports to reach a synthesis of what families do that is inherently strong.; Community literacy was viewed as a pyramid. Access to basic life supports like transportation and groceries implied an access to next levels of adult education, parent child literacy and art. Art, reading for aesthetic appreciation, was seen as the uppermost area to be achieved in literacy. Families were interviewed over a period of three months. Their answers to a series of questions were analyzed for similarities and strengths.; Readings from across the literature on early childhood education, literacy and poverty and families were supported by the interviews. It is in the cross referencing that strengths were identified and weaknesses documented.; Strengths were seen in friendships, storytelling, book exchanges and the use of outdoors. Weaknesses were seen in access to systems and the ability to move forward educationally. There were implicit strengths in these families and their attraction for the interviewer was in their ability to make sense of their lives. |
