This qualitative case study explores how a newcomer Kazakh multilingual family in the U.S. drew on personal, cultural, and linguistic resources to navigate a new educational and social environment. Grounded in the funds of identity framework (Esteban-Guitart & Moll, 2014a) and Vygotskian theory (1998) of identity development, we address the need for asset-based approaches that recognize the strengths multilingual learners and their families bring to schools. Guided by two research questions—(1) What funds of identity does the family express through the co-creation of a bilingual book? and (2) How do these funds shape their experiences in the U.S.?—we focused on Alma, a graduate student and mother, and her son, Arman, an elementary student with emerging English proficiency. The family arrived in the U.S. in December 2022, and we collected data in March 2023 through semi-structured interviews and the co-creation of a bilingual artist book. We transcribed, translated, and coded the data, analyzing it using the five-domain framework of funds of identity: geographical, practical, cultural, social, and institutional. Our findings show that Alma and Arman actively drew on multiple identity resources to adapt to their new context, sustain cultural continuity, and form meaningful connections. Arman exhibited strong academic engagement despite limited English proficiency, challenging deficit-based assumptions. This study introduces an innovative arts-based methodology and underscores the importance of positioning families as knowledge-holders. We offer concrete implications for culturally sustaining pedagogy and identity-affirming literacy practices that center the lived experiences of multilingual families.

Authors:
Zhamilya Yessirkepova, Michigan State University, United States
Anara Akhmetova, Michigan State University, United States

About the Presenter(s)
Zhamilya Yessirkepova is a PhD candidate in K-12 Educational Administration. Her research focuses on family engagement, parent leadership, and advocacy within the Head Start program.

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