Abstract
Early childhood is a critical period for literacy development. Early literacy influences reading achievement later in childhood. An increased understanding of parents’ cultural models and practices about their children’s literacy development can assist educators by enhancing home-school connections. Additionally, with a better understanding of what home practices Mexican immigrant and Mexican American parents use, educators can avoid viewing parents’ home literacy practices from a deficit perspective and instead build upon these practices and strengthen the home-school connection. Parent literacy surveys were distributed to several Sacramento area Head Start locations. Nineteen surveys were returned by Mexican-American and Mexican Immigrant families. Although results of comparisons in the present study were not significant, the results of this study and previous research indicate that Latino families engage in culturally relevant literacy practices with their children.