Cherishing Immigrant Parents' Aspiration to Support Multilingual Children's Literacy Development Across Languages

Abstract

AbstractAs children of immigrants are increasing in number across the U.S. classrooms, schools need to develop strategies to engage with immigrant families. Structural and attitudinal issues in the school system create challenges in communicating with immigrant parents. Immigrant parents have high expectations for their children's academic achievement because they view education can bring mobility and stability to their children's future. Immigrant parents also desire that their children continue developing their home language for familial communication and transnational engagement. To enhance the home‐school connections and to promote family engagement, teachers can first diligently communicate with parents. They can also learn about immigrant families' meaning‐making activities at home and in communities. Teachers can also advocate for children of immigrants' home language development.