Nurturing Young Children’s Multicultural Awareness Through Reading and Responding to Multicultural Children’s Books

• In Event: Roundtable Session 12
  In Roundtable Session: Multicultural and Multiethnic

Abstract

Using qualitative practitioner research, this study explored how fourteen three-to-five-year-old pre-school children respond to the multicultural picture books with themes of diverse families, and gained insight into how they make meaning about illustrations and textual features that include aspects of culture. Culturally authentic picture books have been selected for read alouds to answer the research questions. Data sources included observations, digitally recorded interactive read alouds, participants’ verbal and written/illustrated responses. Preliminary analysis of the data revealed that participants were eager to talk about their personal experiences. Participants’ discussions did address the theme of difference present in the texts. Participants were also able to identify that books have themes and demonstrated understandings of the theme.

Authors

• Xiufang Chen, Rowan University

• Susan Browne, Rowan University