Developing Partnerships With Families Through Children's Literature

by Lilly, Elizabeth; Green, Connie R.

• ISBN13: 9780130313515
• ISBN10: 0130313513
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-05-27
• Publisher: Pearson

Summary

This book blends information on contemporary families, research on early literacy, and practical strategies for sharing children's literature in classrooms, homes, and pre-school settings. Content is based on the belief that adult-child interactions around story-reading play a significant role in fostering and developing children's language and literacy skills. This role manifests itself differently according to the social, cultural, and linguistic environment of a child's home. The authors present a selection of children's books from all genres and an array of field-tested ideas for developing early literacy. Authentic voices of teachers, children, and family members illustrate vivid descriptions of successful teacher-family partnerships and literacy strategies that work. Includes an extensive list of children's books-coded by age range for easy selection. These culturally-diverse titles are incorporated that sensitively portray children with exceptionalities and supply readers with a wealth of choices in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, biography, and picture books. Includes significant coverage of family life, including respectful, positive treatment of diversity in traditions, style, and structure-giving readers practical suggestions for promoting reading in daily families. Includes daily routines (bedtime, playtime, preparing meals), as well as transitions such the birth of a new child or a death in the family. For those teaching pre-school literacy, those working with families, or those interested in children's literature.

Author Biography

Connie Green is a professor in the Reading and Birth through Kindergarten programs at Appalachian State University.

Table of Contents

CHAPTER 1 Early Literacy Development	1	(38)
Early Literacy	2	(4)
Maturationist Theory	2	(1)
Behaviorist Theory	2	(1)
Connectionist Theory	3	(1)
Social Constructivist Theory	3	(1)
Critical Theory	4	(1)
Emergent Literacy	4	(2)
A Balanced Approach	6	(1)
Learning to Read	6	(10)
The Role of Oral Language	7	(1)
The Importance of Reading Aloud	8	(2)
Providing a Print-Rich Environment	10	(2)
Adult Modeling	12	(2)
The Alphabetic Principle	14	(1)
Access to Literacy Materials	14	(2)
Language Development	16	(5)
Phonological Knowledge	17	(3)
Syntax	20	(1)
Semantics	20	(1)
Pragmatics	20	(1)
Concept Development	21	(2)
Concepts About Print	23	(1)
Listening Comprehension	24	(2)
Learning About Books and Stories	26	(2)
Bond Between Caregivers and Children	28	(4)
Enjoyment	32	(2)
Imagination and Creativity	34	(2)
Summary	36	(3)
CHAPTER 2 Sharing the Magic of Children's Literature	39	(50)
The Influence of Stories	40	(1)
The Genres of Children's Literature	41	(4)
Picture Books	45	(19)
Books for Babies	45	(2)
Toy and Board Books	47	(2)
Concept Books	49	(2)
Alphabet Books	51	(2)
Counting Books	53	(2)
Wordless Books	55	(1)
Mother Goose Rhymes	56	(2)
Predictable Books	58	(2)
Song Picture Books	60	(4)
Traditional Literature	64	(4)
Modern Fantasy	68	(2)
Contemporary Realistic Fiction	70	(2)
Historical Fiction	72	(2)
Informational Books	74	(1)
Engaging Children in Literature	75	(7)
Reader Response Theory	75	(2)
Types of Responses	77	(1)
Strategies for Engagement	77	(5)
Surrounding Children with Good Books	82	(4)
Selecting Quality Literature	82	(2)
Compiling a Classroom Library	84	(1)
Creating a Literature-Friendly Classroom	85	(1)
Summary	86	(3)
CHAPTER 3 Linking Home and School Literacies	89	(32)
Home Literacy	90	(1)
Literacy at Centers and Preschools	90	(2)
Challenges to Bridging Home and School	92	(1)
Developing Literacy Partnerships	93	(4)
Gather Information on Families	93	(3)
Plan Literacy Strategies	96	(1)
Implement Literacy Strategies	96	(1)
Evaluate Literacy Strategies	97	(1)
A Model for Family Involvement in Literacy	97	(21)
Level One: Parenting	97	(6)
Level Two: Communication	103	(5)
Level Three: Volunteering	108	(4)
Level Four: Learning at Home	112	(6)
Summary	118	(3)
CHAPTER 4 Families of Many Cultures	121	(30)
Families, Children, and Culture	122	(2)
Principles for Working with Culturally Diverse Families	124	(8)
African Americans	132	(4)
Hispanic Americans	136	(4)
Asian Americans	140	(3)
Native Americans	143	(3)
Arab Americans	146	(2)
Summary	148	(3)
CHAPTER 5 All Types of Families	151	(30)
Principles for Working with Different Types of Families	152	(3)
Single-Parent Families	155	(3)
Families with Gay or Lesbian Parents	158	(3)
Multigenerational Families	161	(3)
Families Without Homes	164	(4)
Multiracial Families	168	(3)
Immigrant Families	171	(2)
Migrant Families	173	(2)
Children of Incarcerated Parents	175	(3)
Summary	178	(3)
CHAPTER 6 Family Transitions	181	(26)
New Baby	182	(4)
Adoption	186	(3)
Divorce	189	(4)
Remarriage	193	(1)
Moving	194	(3)
Special Challenges	197	(3)
Death	200	(4)
Summary	204	(3)
CHAPTER 7 Daily Lives in Families	207	(38)
Daily Routines	210	(7)
Morning Time	211	(1)
Evening Time	211	(3)
Developmental Milestones and Challenges	214	(3)
Food and Cooking	217	(5)
At Play	222	(2)
Outdoors	224	(6)
Learning About Nature and Animals	225	(2)
Observing the Seasons and Weather	227	(1)
Gardening	228	(2)
At Preschool or Day Care	230	(3)
Adults at Work	233	(1)
In the Community	234	(8)
Neighborhood Workers	234	(2)
Daily Outings	236	(1)
Special Events	237	(5)
Summary	242	(3)
PROFESSIONAL REFERENCES	245	(10)
CHILDREN'S REFERENCES	255	(20)
NAME INDEX	275	(8)
SUBJECT INDEX	283

Excerpts

Developing Partnerships with Families Through Children's Literatureis a unique book that combines our interests in family involvement, emergent literacy, and children's literature. It is designed for early childhood educators, students, librarians, family specialists, and early interventionists who work with children from birth through age 5. The text blends information on contemporary families, research on early literacy, and practical strategies and resources for sharing high-quality children's literature in homes as well as in child-care and preschool settings.Our nation has become rich with cultural and linguistic diversity as we have received newcomers from all over the world. In addition, contemporary life-styles are reflected in the changing composition of our families. Given these factors, how can teachers and child-care professionals adapt the family involvement curriculum to meet the needs and interests of all the families with whom they work?We recommend many approaches, including the use of children's books that represent a broad range of cultures and family structures, practical and interesting ways to collaborate with families, and stories of families and teachers that reflect the joys of sharing books with young children. Each chapter highlights families reading together, children's responses to books, and suggestions for family involvement in literacy experiences. Photographs of families and their children extend the content in personal ways. A variety of professional development activities and Internet resources are recommended. Information is woven throughout the text on culturally and linguistically diverse families, multicultural literature, and resources for supporting varied family structures. We have emphasized the pleasures of reading aloud, included numerous children's books available today, and suggested appealing strategies for exploring books to support early literacy development.Our experiences with young children and families, our own research, and the research of others have shaped our approach to early literacy and family involvement. We know that as children learn new concepts and language from books, they relate to characters and stories in affective ways. The highly personal and social context of families enhances the ways young children demonstrate their feelings about stories and their understanding of text. Building on this, we emphasize the affective nature of sharing stories with young children. Dramatizing stories, encouraging active play, engaging in related music and art experiences, and talking about books are valuable ways to support children's responses to literature.Chapter 1 describes the language and literacy development of young children, beginning at birth and continuing until the transition to early reading and writing. Major points in the chapter are illuminated by authentic examples of language development and responses to literature recorded by parents at home.Chapter 2 introduces readers to the exciting world of literature for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergartners. We define each genre and describe representative books. A wide variety of literature is included.Chapter 3 contains numerous ideas for establishing and maintaining collaborative literacy partnerships with families. We present a distinctive, useful model for family involvement. Suggestions for implementing the model are described throughout the chapter.Chapter 4 honors families from various cultural backgrounds. We discuss five major cultural groups within the United States and offer specific recommendations for involving families from each culture. Children's books from each culture are highlighted, and ways to share the books are suggested.Chapter 5 focuses on the many types of family configurations that make up society today. We discuss special considerations to help teachers and childcare professionals work with each type of fami