Singing Songs and Storytelling: Enhancing Literacy

By Margo Grant Roberts, Early Childhood Educator/Literacy Specialist with Rana DiOrio, Founder, Little Pickle Press

July 22, 2010

Research has revealed the high correlation of parental involvement in student schooling and student academic achievement. Specifically, one way to help boost literacy levels and encourage stronger home-school connections is to begin to view literacy not only as a set of isolated skills, but through a socio-cultural framework. According to David Bloome, et. al. in Discourse Analysis and the Study of Classroom Language and Literacy Events, "Rather than viewing literacy as a set of cognitive-linguistic skills acquired by an individual, we view literacy as a set of social and cultural practices enacted by a group.” It is important for educators to look outside of their classrooms and schools and take notice of the non-traditional forms of literacy learning and literacy events that take place in the home and community. Educators can invite parents to become a part of their child’s literacy team by including those home activities in the classroom, as well as support parents in making those literacy activities as effective as possible outside of the classroom. By recognizing and validating the types of literacy activities that occur in the homes and communities of so many of our "struggling" readers on a daily basis, such as storytelling, singing songs, reciting or creating rhymes, playing word games, taking trips to the grocery store, discussing sports scores, and keeping family journals, educators can help to strengthen the home-school literacy connection. Teachers can also invite parents into the classroom, not only as aids or tutors, but also to share their evocative history and life experiences through storytelling with the children. This is a valuable model for students challenged by reading and writing. In building these rich connections, teachers will not only validate their children's home cultures, but also invite parents to become partners in their child’s education.

Another meaningful way educators can strengthen the home-school connection to promote literacy is to provide students with classroom library and read aloud choices that reflect their home environments and cultural backgrounds. "The research also suggests that students perform better when they read or use material that is in the language they know better. Culturally meaningful or familiar reading material also appears to facilitate comprehension . . .," August and Shanahan observe. All students need opportunities to see themselves in the stories they read and hear.

Little Pickle Press strives to promote literacy. To that end, we invite teachers and parents to give us feedback about what will help to promote the home-school connection, what materials we can develop to promote literacy activities, and what topics will be the most engaging and meaningful for our children.