Many of the examples used in this guide are from family literacy programs. In comprehensive family literacy programs, parents and children participate in four integrated components.

• Children's Education is designed to promote the literacy development and learning of children. This component also engages parents in their child's educational environment to bring about lasting, meaningful involvement.
• Adult Education extends the learning experiences for parents as they pursue their educational and career goals, gaining the skills they need to be effective employees, active community members, and leaders and supporters of their families.
• Parent Time offers instruction to parents about their children's literacy development and provides opportunities to explore strategies to support that development.
• Parent and Child Together (PACT) Time is a regularly scheduled time for parents and their children to participate in interactive literacy experiences in a supportive environment. As parents become more comfortable in their role as their child's first teacher, PACT Time helps foster skills to support education in the home. See Planning for Volunteers in Literacy: A Guidebook [PDF, 1.58MB]