How We Read Matters Just As Much As What We Read: Using A Critical Literacy Lens with My Kids

Parents and caregivers today are making a concerted effort to diversify the books their children read. Representation in the stories we read and the images we present is now top of mind for many families. But are we thinking about how we read books to our children? ‘Critical literacy’ is a term often used by educators trained to support children to read and think critically about the world around them. One of the things we at Roots ConnectED think is important is the way in which we push our children to ask questions, and look for bias, omission, and stereotypes in the books being read. We believe books should be engaging and fun, but also read with intent. In this workshop, the presenters will share tools and strategies for how to read books with your child in a way that allows them the space to consider power, positionality, and perspective taking. Using books as a tool for doing this allows us to raise a generation of children with a critical eye and ear, to search for truth and listen to stories of the untold.