Children Reading to Success is a family literacy program developed by Literacy Volunteers of America-Cayuga County, Inc. The purpose of the program is to provide low-literacy adult learners the skills to model reading activities for their pre-school children.

Children's books will be provided to families, who have an Adult Basic or English as a Second Language LVA tutor. During the time of enrollment, the tutor and adult learner will review a children's book each month. The book will be given to the child(ren) under age 6 in the family.

The adult learner will have the ability to read the story as well as age-appropriate activities that encourage emergent literacy skills in the child(ren). Literacy Volunteers of America-Cayuga County, Inc. created a family literacy component to our present literacy tutoring. Our program provides for-

• a family-centered approach to literacy,
• assistance and training to parents in literacy related activities,
• age appropriate child development assessments,
• and referrals to local human service agencies as needed.

LVA-Cayuga believes in a learner-centered approach to literacy. Educational goals must be based on the individual, not the tutor's goals for the learner. This philosophy will be carried on in a family-centered approach as well. Families will assess their needs and goals from the position of their strengths and the tutor will work to build on the identified strengths. The belief that parents are the child's primary teachers is the basis for this program. Program outcomes and measures include-

• increased reading to children regularly,
• development of a family reading list,
• volunteering in the children's school,
• receiving a library card and regular visits to the library,
• adult learner gains to reach personal educational goals,
• and other goals established by the family and tutor.

Literacy Volunteers of America-Cayuga County, Inc. considers this new component a success to our present literacy program. Clearly the adult role model, whether parent or grandparent must provide the modeling for successful literacy development in the home.

We are grateful to Senator Nozzolio for his assistance in getting this contract, Wells College for supplying book donations and Waldenbooks for the 20% discount on all purchased books.