CHAPEL HILL, Texas — Chapel Hill ISD has partnered with UT Tyler for parents to get involved in their child's literacy before they even step foot in a classroom.
Crystal Binning, parent and family engagement coordinator for Chapel Hill ISD, said she knows firsthand how important it is for parents to be part of their kids’ education outside the classroom.
"If you are working with your students at home, then they’re going to see the value that it is important," Binning said. "The more practice that students and young children get at a younger age, the more successful they’re going to be later on."
That’s the goal of the UT Tyler K-16 Literacy Center's research in partnership with Chapel Hill ISD.
Dr. Kouider Mokhtari, director of the Parent-Powered Literacy Project, said his team is looking for kids ages 0 to 4 years old to be part of this research. The project is free to parents who want to participate and it is open to all families, even if they live outside of Chapel Hill ISD area.
"We want these kids, that by the time they get to kindergarten, they have been exposed to early language and literacy skills," Mokhtari said. "So that when they get to kindergarten and first grade, they are prepared to do it."
Binning said the district staff is trying to find a way to reach students and families at an early age before they actually start school.
"Because the earlier we get to start working with kids and their families, the better they’re going to be once they start kindergarten," she said.
Mokhtari added that parents play a significant role in this program as they're asked to spend approximately 15 tp 20 minutes a day at home applying the trainings that they're given.
Mokhtari said 80% of a child’s brain develops by age 3, and he hopes parent involvement helps in this vital part of a child’s life.
"They are able to practice different strategies on teaching them words, reading books to them and basically growing their literacy skills," Binning said.
For those interested in signing up, the project will be free to the first 25 participants who register by Sept. 3. Participants will be involved in the program through May 31, 2025. People wanting to register or get more information can contact Mokhtari at kmokhtari@uttyler.edu or 903.566.7177.