This session explores how family reading routines can break the cycle of adult illiteracy by helping parents build skills while fostering strong early literacy habits in their children.
About This Session
Description
This session introduces the importance of breaking the cycle of adult illiteracy by empowering parents to read with their children. Participants will explore how shared reading strengthens early literacy, builds adult confidence, and creates meaningful family connections.
The session highlights simple, supportive strategies that help adults who struggle with reading grow alongside their children, ultimately strengthening the next generation of learners.
What we'll cover:
This session introduces the need to break the cycle of adult illiteracy by helping parents and children grow as readers together. Participants will explore how shared reading builds confidence for adults who struggle with literacy, strengthens early language skills for children, and supports stronger family connections. The session highlights simple strategies, community supports, and advocacy efforts that make family literacy an achievable and sustainable practice in homes and neighborhoods.
Session Objectives
- Understand how adult literacy directly influences children’s academic and developmental outcomes.
- Identify common barriers faced by adults with limited reading skills and how to respond with empathy and support.
- Learn practical shared reading techniques parents can use even if they struggle with reading themselves.
- Discover community services that promote literacy such as libraries, adult education centers, and family literacy programs.
- Explore advocacy approaches that strengthen family literacy, including creating supportive environments and encouraging community partnerships.
- Develop actionable ideas to help families build daily reading routines that nurture learning for both adults and children.
Topics & Focus
Primary Topic Area
Session will also cover:
Assigned by TCALL
Pending
Audience
Level
Case study?
Promotion?
A note from the presenter:
No other info available at this time.
Handouts & Materials
No handouts or materials available at this time.
“Name of Session” – session presentation slides (PDF)
Name of Document – lesson sample (PDF)
Name of Document (PDF)
Name of Document – infographic (JPG)
Presenter
Dr. Kyle Roberson
Assistant Professor, Family and Consumer Sciences Education
Texas Tech University
Dr. Kyle Roberson has over 24 years of teaching and training experience. He served more than 21 years in the U.S. Army and Army Reserves, including ten years as a Drill Sergeant training new soldiers. He also spent 20 years with the Federal Bureau of Prisons. As supervisor of education, he oversaw all inmate academic, vocational, recreational, and continuing education programs. He expanded college participation by collaborating with a contracted institution to introduce transcripted undergraduate certificates. He improved GED pass rates by using reciprocal teaching strategies, structured incentives, and increased testing opportunities. He also added new vocational programs to support reentry success.
Dr. Roberson is currently an assistant professor in the Family and Consumer Sciences Education program at Texas Tech University, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses. He is a past president of Phi Upsilon Omicron and continues to serve as a chapter advisor. He holds a South Dakota teaching license with multiple endorsements. His research focuses on inmate programming, reentry, families of the incarcerated, FCS teacher recruitment, and family literacy. He has 22 peer-reviewed publications in academic journals and has authored a children’s book about making friends.
Breakout26 – ROBERSON
Page checked or updated: 6/10/2026
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