In this prospective, longitudinal study, the authors examined the relations among parental behaviors, parental expectations, and children's academic achievement. Participants were 187 low-income children and their mothers, studied from birth of the child through 3rd grade. Mothers' quality of instruction prior to school entry had significant…

Family literature circles are literacy events that provide children with the opportunity to talk about a book in whatever language they choose at home prior to discussing it in English as required at school. These discussions help to create a context for language acquisition in the child's first and second language. While state law restricts one's…