Modeling behavior

Modeling behavior includes a variety of activities. The modeling behaviors related to family literacy include reading all kinds of materials and books, writing, rhyming, singing, television watching habits and internet use.

Almost all interviewees recalled their parents reading newspapers regularly. Fourteen people also said they often saw their parents reading fiction and nonfiction books and four people said one or both parents read from books for church services. Mothers were recalled reading recipes in cookbooks.

One person said she did not remember her parents reading many books or magazines and “my mom refers to books as coasters.”

Specific comments are included in Table 10.

Table 10. Reading behavior
Reading behavior Number of
responses		 Occupation Comments
Parents read the newspaper 18 0 n=3
A n=4
B n=5
C n=4
D n=2		 Reading was a big part of our growing up, so we saw Dad reading the newspaper everyday.
Mom read the newspaper every day.
My father was an avid reader; he would read the newspaper every day.
Parents read fiction and nonfiction books 14 0 n=3
A n=3
B n=3
C n=4
D n=1		 Mom read every day, everything from novels, to the bible, magazines, newspaper and National Geographic.
Mom read a book once a month.
Dad read work-related texts. Mom read books, mostly mysteries and fiction.
Parents read the hymnal at church 4 0 n=2
A n=1
B n=1		 Mom read from the church book at church on Sundays.
Both read the hymnal at church.