Date of Award

5-18-2018

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctorate of Education, Ed.D.

College

College of Education

Department

Education

First Advisor

Mark Jimenez, Ed.D.

Second Advisor

John D'Aguanno, Ed.D.

Third Advisor

Sue Zientara, Ph.D.

Abstract

The development of literacy skills prior to the classroom has been established as essential for future school and life successes. However, the present achievement gap between lower-socioeconomic neighborhoods and their higher-income counterparts illustrate vast dissimilarities in early childhood provisions for quality reading materials and instructional aides. In an effort to bridge the educational breach, a collaborative, storytelling-based program entitled Kid Forward was introduced to five nationwide families as a means of assistance for early childhood literacy development. Through the use of demographic surveys, interviews completed before and after the program implementation, and exit surveys, the action research study examined early childhood home-based literacy activities performed and the effects of Kid Forward on literacy learning in the home. The results of the investigation found that the primary element of Kid Forward, story creation, built confidence and skills in creativity, language development, and conversation; traits necessary for fruitful progression from kindergarten to adulthood.

Share

COinS