Are Parents Lit?

Literacy is one of the biggest determinants of a child’s school readiness. From May - June 2023, we surveyed Milwaukee parents to understand how engaged in their child’s literacy journey they were and identify opportunities to better support families. The following outlines what parents shared and what we learned.

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Background

The current state of childhood education for children aged 0 to 3 years old in Milwaukee, Wisconsin demands our attention. Limited access to quality early childhood education programs and persistent achievement gaps are pressing challenges. However, we believe that the solution lies in recognizing and empowering parents as the primary educators of their children during these crucial years. By actively involving parents and providing them with support and resources, we can establish a strong foundation for lifelong learning and bridge the educational gaps. Together, we can emphasize the essential role of parents as first teachers and work towards a brighter future for our youngest learners.

Acknowledging that parents require support to effectively assume their role as first teachers, our survey aimed to gain insights directly from parents regarding the specific types of support they require. By better understanding parents' needs, we can work towards providing targeted and meaningful assistance, ensuring that every parent has the resources and guidance necessary to nurture their child's early development and education.

Goals & Aims

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Methodology Summary

Question development

The series of proposed questions to participants were developed by various community stakeholders to support quantitative data with qualitative and thematic first-person accounts.

Outreach

Individuals were engaged through on-the-ground, virtual, and social media channels with $25 incentives.

Implementation

Interested individuals were able to take a survey through an automated first-person format where their feedback was recorded by audio, video, and multiple choice.

Analysis

Participant responses were analyzed and presented in charts and qualitative video/audio responses were used to develop themes.

"We read to the children nightly at bedtime. So we're keeping up this routine every day, even on days where it feels challenging, feeling like we're running out of time... we're trying to stick with their bedtime routine ."

Importance of Reading

Before diving into the full report, take a moment to hear what parents had to say about how important reading is to their child’s success.

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Quantitative Data

Top Zip Codes

More about this data…

75 Total Surveys Conducted

100%

of parents surveyed have at least one child age 3 or under in their home.

76%

of parents surveyed were female and 24% were male.

Number of Children's Books in The Home

More about this data…

53206

The highest number of parents with books at home (from 1-20+) live in this zip code.

43%

of total parents identified having one to ten books have in their homes.

42%

of total parents identified having more than ten books in their home.

How often do you read to your child?

More about this data…

49%

of parents stated they read daily to their child(ren).

1 in 3

of parents read once a week to their child.

81%

of total parents read at least once a week to their child.

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How early would you enroll your baby in a quality child care program?

More about this data…

31%

of total parents would begin to enroll their child into child care at 6 months of age.

16%

of total parents would begin to enroll their child into child care at 6 weeks of age.

25%

of total parents would begin to enroll their child into child care at the age of 2.

Which of these services would you be interested in receiving from the City of Milwaukee?

More about this data…

60%

Total parents are interested in free childcare.

50%

Total parents are interested in public spaces to talk & read to their kids.

45%

total parents are interested in child resources and free parenting training.

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"The only reason I would read to my child not as often as I would like is because we have six kids in a household of eight. So sometimes it can be a little rough for me."

Qualitative Data

This survey provided the opportunity to highlight key, recurring themes elevated by parents regarding their comfort with reading, availability to actively read to their child(ren) and need for external support. These themes have been summarized and are presented below.

You’ll also have the opportunity to hear directly from the voices of parents.

Scroll below or click a topic to jump to that section.

Barriers to Consistently Reading At Home

We sought to understand what might slow or prevent a parent from reading to their child every day, and below is an overview of the most elevated areas.

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Parents' experience reading as a child

To better assess each parent's comfort with reading, we wanted to understand their own comfort with reading as a child. Here is what we learned.

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Support with reading to their child

We aimed to understand if parents experienced barriers to access resources or support with reading to their child.

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Equipping their 0-3 year old for school

We asked parents to express how prepared they are to get their children ready for school. The following themes were identified based on their responses.

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How the City of Milwaukee Can Help

We asked parents how the City of Milwaukee can support them in providing the best care and education for their children. Here is what parents had to say.

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Topic & Themes:

Barriers to Consistently Reading At Home

We sought to understand what might slow or prevent a parent from reading to their child every day, and below is an overview of the most elevated areas.

Over 50% parents expressed challenges in finding time to read to their child due to their hectic schedules and multiple responsibilities.

36% of parents mentioned feeling tired and drained, particularly after work or managing other household tasks, which impacts their ability to engage in reading activities.

The demands of work, including long shifts and busy work schedules, were identified as obstacles to reading regularly with their child.

Juggling the needs of multiple children or other caregiving duties made it challenging for some parents to consistently engage in reading with their child(ren).

30% of parents admitted to not making reading a priority or occasionally forgetting to incorporate it into their daily routines.

**25 parents noted that evening routines and time constraints often make it difficult to incorporate reading before bedtime.**

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Topic & Themes:

Parents' experience reading as a child

To better assess each parent's comfort with reading, we wanted to understand their own comfort with reading as a child. Here is what we learned.

62% of the parents shared that they had encouraging or positive reading experiences as a child with limited struggle to read.

Less than 10% of parents mentioned not having access to sufficient support or resources for reading, whether due to limited help at home or lack of transportation to libraries

Most of the parents were comfortable, but 20% of parents discussed facing specific challenges while reading, such as dyslexia or difficulty pronouncing certain words.

15% of parents mentioned difficulties with stuttering or struggling to pronounce certain words while reading. They shared that with time and practice, they were able to improve their fluency.

10% of parents mentioned struggling with comprehension and remembering details while reading.

Less than 10% of the parents emphasized their insecurities with reading and self-perception that they were poor readers, leading them to have negative perceptions of reading in general.

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Topic & Themes:

Support with reading to their child

We aimed to understand if parents experienced barriers to access resources or support with reading to their child.

74% of parents mentioned not receiving any specific support or resources to assist them in reading to their child. They relied on their own efforts or the support of their immediate family members.

*45% of parents mentioned utilizing resources available in their local community, such as libraries, library programs, reading groups, or events that promote reading.*

Less than 20% of parents mentioned receiving support and resources from family members or friends who recognized the importance of reading. They appreciated the assistance and encouragement they received in fostering their child's reading habits.

44% parents expressed openness to receiving more resources or support to assist them in reading to their child. They recognized the importance of additional tools and strategies to enhance their child's reading experience.

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Topic & Themes:

Equipping their 0-3 year old for school

We asked parents to express how prepared they are to get their children ready for school. The following themes were identified based on their responses.

80% of parents emphasized the importance of having access to good books for their children and expressed that the City can support this by expanding library hours, offering more book-related events and programs, and ensuring that libraries are well-stocked with diverse and age-appropriate reading materials..

Less than 10% of parents revealed concerns about helping their child emotionally and physically adjust to a new space. Some parents have also identified concerns around their child's behavior being negatively impacted.

**Over 50% of the parents indicated a confidence in quipping their 0-3 year old for school because they have older children that they have equipped.**

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Topic & Themes:

How the City of Milwaukee Helps

We asked parents how the City of Milwaukee can support them in providing the best care and education for their children. Here is what parents had to say.

82% of parents emphasized the importance of having access to good books for their children and expressed that the City can support this by expanding library hours, offering more book-related events and programs, and ensuring that libraries are well-stocked with diverse and age-appropriate reading materials.

92% of parents mentioned the need for more affordable childcare options and subsidies, as well as better resources and programs in childcare facilities. The city can work towards expanding access to high-quality and affordable childcare services, and ensure that childcare providers are qualified and provide a nurturing and educational environment.

67% of parents mentioned the need for better promotion and advertising of available resources and programs. The city can actively promote existing resources, host community events, and collaborate with community organizations to raise awareness among parents about the support and services available to them.

74% of Parents highlighted the importance of early childhood education and the need for more resources and programs for children aged zero to three. The city can invest in early childhood education initiatives, offer training and support for early care providers, and provide free or low-cost early learning opportunities for children from low-income families.

Key Learnings.

Parents understand the value of reading

The survey very clearly revealed that parents are aware of the importance & benefits of reading to a child under 3. Parents directly linked reading to a child's development and preparation for school.
Most parents enjoyed reading as a child

Our results show not only did most of the parents have comfort reading as a child, but they enjoyed it and have a positive association with reading. Even parents with identified challenges with reading as a child, ultimately came to enjoy the process.
Parents don't have enough books at home

While parents were able to identify understanding the importance of reading to their children at home, 74% of respondents identified only having between 0-19 children's books in their home.
Parents are too busy and/or too tired

Parents still aren't reading as often to their child as they would like. Between complex home situations, such as managing multiple children, unsteady bed routines, difficult work schedules and general fatigue & stress, parents are finding it hard to make time to read to their child.
Children's literacy is connected to childcare

Most parents believe childcare providers are primarily responsible for their 0-3 year old's literacy and education. Additionally, parents have identified that accessibility to affordable, quality childcare providers are a top priority & resource to supporting their child's learning.
Parents are seeking and need help

Parents are either currently utilizing resources, such as libraries, to support their child's learning or are highly interested in learning more about available resources. Additionally, parents are actively seeking support as they are feeling burnt out independently.

How We Show Up For Parents

We asked parents to tell us what they need, and we listened! Now it's time to implement strategies to support parents. Below are opportunities we've identified based on parents' current needs.