Storytelling, Play, and Literacy

Quarters
Fall Signature
Location
Tacoma
Class Standing
Freshman
Sophomore
Junior
Senior
Letta Steward
Carlos Alvarez

The focus of this seminar is on Indigenous and culturally grounded storytelling and its role in child development. It examines definitions of literacy, the significance of literacy skills, and literacy development among young children and their families in dual language and multilingual communities. We will also cover Freire’s notion of reading the world as well as reading the word and the concept of triliteracy from the Teaching Umoja Participatory Action Research (PAR) 15-Year Commitment. This seminar looks at the role of adults in supporting children's play, language, cultural expression, and literacy. Participants develop strategies for supporting phonemic awareness, book knowledge, print awareness, sound-letter matches, vocabulary and conversation development, comprehension and critical thinking, love of reading, and writing. In addition, we will engage with early literacy approaches specific to particular languages, cultural groups, and writing systems.

Registration

Signature Required

Students must be admitted to the Early Childhood Education program and require faculty signature to register.

Course Reference Numbers

(5): 10221

Academic Details

5
50
Freshman
Sophomore
Junior
Senior

Schedule

Fall
2025
Signature
Remote (F)

See definition of Hybrid, Remote, and In-Person instruction

Evening
Tacoma