A Project Overview:
"The Family Storyteller" was created as an educational and research literacy project for at-risk families. Funded by the University of Nevada, Reno's Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension, "The Family Storyteller" partnerships include the UNR Cooperative Extension, UNR's Department of Human Development and Family Studies, KNPB/Channel 5, Washoe County School District, and Washoe County Public Libraries.

The purpose of the project is to teach parents, grandparents, and other caregivers effective skills in reading aloud to their children (primarily 3 years to kindergarten). KNPB has produced a series of six training videos, each addressing a common question about the value and activity of reading as it applies to the adult/child relationship and to the development of family literacy. These videos are used primarily in workshop settings, with possible additional distribution through public libraries.

The workshops are designed to support KNPB's Ready to Learn and First Books programs. With the distribution of First Books to at-risk families, there is a concern about whether the parents will know how to use the books to foster literacy skill in their children. The tapes and workshops are used as models for parents on how to read to children. As part of each workshop, each parent will receive a free book, supplied by KNPB.

The workshops are designed to be held weekly, each one based on the content of the videos. The set-up of the workshop will be as follows: watch tape, practice reading, receive free book, learn extender activities which enhance the value of the reading, and receive materials to complete extender activities at home.

Over the course of the research project, more than seventy-five families participated in the workshops. Families for workshop participation were recruited through community programs for at-risk families, such as Title I, Head Start, Even Start, and Family Resource Centers. Althought the research project is completed "The Family Storyteller" workshops continue. A "summary" workshop has been added to Channel 5's Ready to Learn workshop series.

The books and families featured in the videos.
Make the most of "The Family Storyteller" videos.

For details, contact Pat Miller at (775) 784-4555 or patm@knpb.org.