TYLER, Texas — UT Tyler is looking for families to participate in its Parent-Powered Literacy Project that seeks to promote early childhood literacy in East Texas.
The project is in partnership with Chapel Hill ISD and the UT Tyler K-16 Literacy Center and helps parents with nurturing early language and literacy development in young children (ages birth to 4 years old).
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.
“Neuroscience research highlights the critical role of early brain development, especially during infancy and early childhood,” said project director Dr. Kouider Mokhtari, UT Tyler Anderson-Vukelja-Wright Endowed Professor and director of the K-16 Literacy Center. “Enriched environments, quality caregiving and educational stimulation significantly impact young children's developmental outcomes.”
Families who sign up for the project will receive great benefits like:
- Parent education to enhance skills in supporting early language and literacy development at home
- Start-up literacy resource kit with tools for early literacy activities
- Monthly children’s book to encourage reading
- Ongoing support to boost children's literacy skills
- Access to early learning resources through a dedicated website
Chapel Hill ISD Superintendent Lamond Dean said the school district is excited to partner with UT Tyler on the Parent-Powered Literacy Project.
“This aligns with our mission to engage, educate and empower families, the community and school staff with resources and partnerships that support the academic and personal growth of all students," Dean said.
People wanting to register or get more information can contact Mokhtari at kmokhtari@uttyler.edu or 903.566.7177.
“This project empowers parents by equipping them with the tools to enrich early language and literacy environments at home, thus preparing their children for school readiness,” said Dr. Josh Tremont, executive director of curriculum, instruction and assessment at CHISD.
UT Tyler said the K-16 Literacy Center is an educational unit within the School of Education by the UT Tyler College of Education and Psychology that seek to strengthen literacy instruction and improve academic achievement outcomes of K-16 students at the university, school and community levels.