Preventing the Summer Slide

A trained literacy coach (bilingual in English and Spanish) will teach literacy and reading in a multi-generational setting through shared book reading, literacy games, and educational activities. The program promotes a shared family experience and encourages further reading and engagement in English language learning through literacy at home.

Each week focuses on a different learning objective and builds upon the lesson from the week before. During each week, a book is featured, and families discuss the theme of the book while also focusing on learning vocabulary, comprehension, and additional literacy skills. The classes provide parents with effective strategies to address challenges their children may face in attending school. The curriculum is also designed to develop participants' second language skills and literacy using books, flashcards, and direct instruction.

The program runs on summer Saturdays at 11:30am–1:30pm from Saturday June 13 to Saturday August 15. (No class on Saturday July 4.) Each class includes lunch, weekly family door prizes, fun activities and direct instruction. Each family will receive copies of the three featured books to help build their home library.

English for Families is a program developed by the Orange County Library System (OCLS) with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities. The Summer 2026 program at Broward County Libraries is brought to you by Florida Blue and The Broward Public Library Foundation.

A Service of the Broward County Board of Commissioners