[NLA] Mother’s First Book & Family Literacy Day

[Thomas Sticht]

Research Note 					5 December, 2002


Mother’s First Book and Family Literacy Day in Canada

Tom Sticht
International Consultant in Adult Education

In just over a month, on January 17th, 2003, those who work to advance
adult literacy in the United States will celebrate the 128th anniversary
of the birthday of Cora Wilson Stewart, who some regard as the founder of
modern adult literacy education in the United States. Later, on January
27th, Canada will celebrate Family Literacy Day to increase awareness of
the importance of parent’s literacy in the development of children’s
literacy, and to advocate for family literacy programs in which parents
and children learn literacy skills together.

The work of Cora Wilson Stewart in the first third of the 20th century and
that of family literacy educators of the 21st century finds an intercept
in the understanding of the importance of the literacy of parents,
especially mothers, on the educational achievement of children.

In 1930, the Johnson Publishing Company published the first book in the
United States aimed specifically at teaching mothers to read. Written by
Cora Wilson Stewart, the book was entitled, "Mother’s First Book: A First
Reader for Home Women."

In the introduction to the book, Stewart explains that,

"This book is a first reader for women who cannot read or write. It is for
the teacher’s use in teaching such women, and by teacher is meant any
person who helps a woman to read
.While the book may be used in the
class-room (sic), it is designed for use in the home. There are many women
who can attend school, there are many others who cannot. Those who are
unable to join a class or to enroll in school may be taught at home by the
public school teacher or by an ex-teacher; or, if not by these, by a
member of the woman’s own family, by a neighbor or friend. Never was there
a finer, nobler task for a volunteer who wants to render a patriotic,
helpful, constructive service." (p. 5)

Stewart goes on to explain that, "The lessons are centered around the home
and the daily activities. Based as they are on simple everyday tasks – the
care of the baby, cleanliness, proper foods for the family, cooperation
with the school and similar subjects – they aim not only at teaching women
to read and write, but at leading them to better home practices and higher
ideals in their home and community life. " (p. 5)

The first reading lesson in the Mother’s First Book goes:

"See my baby!
See my baby play!
My baby is well.
I keep my baby well. " (p.11)

Later, the lessons include instruction in the parenting activity of taking
an interest in children’s schooling:

"Some parents visit the school.
They make a friend of the teacher.
They invite the teacher to the home.
The parent and teacher talk together.
They plan for the good of the child.
Then the child gets on faster in school. 
" (p. 46)

Though the Mother’s First Reader is couched in the ideas of motherhood and
family of the rural populations of the United States in the early 20th
century, the idea that mothers need to be literate and that through the
intergenerational transfer of skills and attitudes the mother’s education
can influence the subsequent educational achievement of their children, is
a foundational belief of contemporary family literacy programs.

What was true in the United States over 70 years ago, is true today, and
we adult educators in the United States show our solidarity with our
colleagues in Canada by celebrating the importance of family literacy
education on Family Literacy Day, January 27th 2003.

Some truths are truths, eh?





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