Reclaiming Early Childhood Literacies: Narratives of Hope, Power, and Vision

Book Details

• Author: Kathryn F. Whitmore

• Brand: Routledge

• Edition: 1

• Binding: Paperback

• Number of Pages: 290

• Release Date: 19-09-2016

• EAN: 9781138944381

• Languages: English

About The Book
Literacy and Young Children refocuses the discussion on young children's literacy by emphasizing their roles as active participants in their own literacy worlds. In a time when literacy has become more of a political issue, this book brings attention back to the importance of pedagogical approaches that center on children’s rights, their engagement with multiple literacies, and their capacity to interrogate their surroundings through play and expression.

Drawing from extensive, often marginalized research, the book redefines literacy to include technologies, the arts, and diverse modalities. It advocates for teaching that promotes cultural sustainability, social justice, and democracy, providing a broad framework for literacy development. Key themes include the significance of meaning-making in language development, an inclusive respect for diversities—be it language, culture, or socioeconomic status—and a focus on texts in all their forms.

With its comprehensive view, the book stresses the importance of adults who inspire and expand children’s awareness of themselves and the world, facilitating an environment where learning thrives beyond traditional boundaries.

About The Author
Richard J. Meyer is a Regents’ Professor and Chair of Language, Literacy, and Sociocultural Studies at the University of New Mexico, USA.
Kathryn F. Whitmore holds the Ashland/Nystrand Chair of Early Childhood Research and is Director of the Early Childhood Research Center at the University of Louisville, USA.