{"id":35284,"date":"2026-02-22T00:01:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-22T05:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/?p=35284"},"modified":"2026-04-06T12:22:38","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T16:22:38","slug":"building-identity-and-language-from-the-very-beginning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/2026\/02\/building-identity-and-language-from-the-very-beginning\/","title":{"rendered":"Building Identity and Language from the Very Beginning"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">February is a time to celebrate Black history and cultural contributions\u2014but it is also an important opportunity to support early literacy through representation, connection, and conversation. For young children, literacy begins long before they can read words on a page. It begins with being seen, heard, and valued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Research shows that shared reading experiences that reflect children\u2019s lived experiences support language development, social-emotional growth, and a sense of belonging (Baicker, 2020). When books center Black joy, family, and everyday life, children are more likely to see themselves as readers and storytellers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-books-as-mirrors-windows-and-doors\"><strong>Books as Mirrors, Windows, and Doors<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Children need books that act as <strong>mirrors<\/strong> (reflecting their own lives), <strong>windows<\/strong> (offering insight into others\u2019 experiences), and <strong>doors<\/strong> (inviting them to imagine new possibilities). Culturally responsive literacy practices help children develop motivation and identity as readers, particularly for children who have historically been underrepresented in children\u2019s literature (Irby, 2017).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Suggested Picture Books<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>Hair Love<\/em> \u2014 Matthew A. Cherry<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Saturday<\/em> \u2014 Oge Mora<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Last Stop on Market Street<\/em> \u2014 Matt de la Pe\u00f1a<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut<\/em> \u2014 Derrick Barnes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-talking-with-children-builds-language-and-brains\"><strong>Talking With Children Builds Language and Brains<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Early literacy is not about reading <em>at<\/em> children\u2014it is about reading <em>with<\/em> them. Research from MIT shows that back-and-forth conversational exchanges during shared reading strengthen children\u2019s brain response to language, regardless of socioeconomic background (Trafton, 2018).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Additionally, \u201cconversational duets\u201d\u2014where adults pause, listen, and respond to children\u2019s verbal and nonverbal cues\u2014show strong support for early language development (Diamant-Cohen &amp; Payne, 2022).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Conversation-Rich Book Choices<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>Alma and How She Got Her Name<\/em> \u2014 Juana Martinez-Neal<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>The Day You Begin<\/em> \u2014 Jacqueline Woodson<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>My Papi Has a Motorcycle<\/em> \u2014 Isabel Quintero<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-social-emotional-literacy-and-empathy-through-story\"><strong>Social-Emotional Literacy and Empathy Through Story<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Picture books help young children explore emotions, relationships, and fairness. Research published in <em>Children and Libraries<\/em> demonstrates that preschool children are capable of engaging meaningfully with social justice themes when supported through intentional read-alouds (Wild, 2020).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These conversations help children build empathy, emotional vocabulary, and perspective-taking skills\u2014all foundational to literacy development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Books That Support Emotional Growth<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>The Undefeated<\/em> \u2014 Kwame Alexander<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>I Am Enough<\/em> \u2014 Grace Byers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-shared-reading-as-an-act-of-love-and-belonging\"><strong>Shared Reading as an Act of Love and Belonging<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Shared reading is more than a literacy practice\u2014it is an act of connection. Reading together supports emotional health, strengthens resilience, and reinforces a child\u2019s sense of belonging (Baicker, 2020). For families, these moments communicate a powerful message: <em>You are loved. Your story matters.<\/em><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" height=\"650\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/clare-650x650.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-35286\" style=\"width:527px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/clare-650x650.jpg 650w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/clare-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/clare-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/clare-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/clare-500x500.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/clare-90x90.jpg 90w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/clare.jpg 1146w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Photo Credit: Clare Hollander, Kansas City Public Library<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-caregiver-takeaway-supporting-early-literacy-at-home\"><strong>Caregiver Takeaway: Supporting Early Literacy at Home<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>(Every Child Ready to Read\u00ae )<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>TALK<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong>Ask open-ended questions and invite your child to share what they notice or wonder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>READ<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong>Re-read favorite books and choose stories that reflect your child\u2019s identity and experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>SING<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong>Use songs and rhythm to build sound awareness and joy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>WRITE<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong>Encourage drawing or scribbling as a way to tell stories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>PLAY<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong>Act out stories and extend them through imaginative play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>You don\u2019t need special tools\u2014just time, connection, and curiosity.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-sources\">Sources<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Baicker, K. (2020, April 8). <em>Using literacy to boost your child\u2019s health and resilience.<\/em> Yale School of Medicine.<br><a href=\"https:\/\/medicine.yale.edu\/news-article\/23748\/\">https:\/\/medicine.yale.edu\/news-article\/23748\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Diamant-Cohen, B., &amp; Payne, R. G. (2022, March 17). <em>Encourage \u201cconversational duets\u201d between babies and caregivers to foster language skills.<\/em> <em>School Library Journal.<\/em><em><br><\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.slj.com\/story\/encourage-conversational-duets-between-babies-and-caregivers-to-foster-language-skills-first-steps\">https:\/\/www.slj.com\/story\/encourage-conversational-duets-between-babies-and-caregivers-to-foster-language-skills-first-steps<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Edwards, P., McNair, J. C., &amp; Smith, P. (2022). Toward culturally relevant literacies with children and families of color. In <em>International encyclopedia of education<\/em> (4th ed., pp. 180\u2013197). Elsevier.<br><a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/B978-0-12-818630-5.07033-0\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/B978-0-12-818630-5.07033-0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Irby, A. (2017). <em>How to inspire every child to be a lifelong reader<\/em> [Video]. TED Conferences.<br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ted.com\/talks\/alvin_irby_how_to_inspire_every_child_to_be_a_lifelong_reader\">https:\/\/www.ted.com\/talks\/alvin_irby_how_to_inspire_every_child_to_be_a_lifelong_reader<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Trafton, A. (2018, February 14). <em>Back-and-forth exchanges boost children\u2019s brain response to language.<\/em> MIT News.<br><a href=\"https:\/\/news.mit.edu\/2018\/conversation-boost-childrens-brain-response-language-0214\">https:\/\/news.mit.edu\/2018\/conversation-boost-childrens-brain-response-language-0214<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Wild, N. (2020). The other side: Preschool children\u2019s experience of a read aloud focused on social justice. <em>Children and Libraries<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Today\u2019s blog post was written by ALSC Early and Family Literacy Comittee Member Dee (Deadra) Brown, Lead Research and Instruction Librarian\u00a0at Haverford College.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized is-style-rounded\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" height=\"650\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-2-650x650.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-35285\" style=\"width:242px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-2-650x650.png 650w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-2-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-2-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-2-500x500.png 500w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-2-90x90.png 90w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-2.png 720w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Photo credits: Rosie Simmons<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>February is a time to celebrate Black history and cultural contributions\u2014but it is also an important opportunity to support early literacy through representation, connection, and conversation. For young children, literacy begins long before they can read words on a page. It begins with being seen, heard, and valued. Research shows that shared reading experiences that reflect children\u2019s lived experiences support language development, social-emotional growth, and a sense of belonging (Baicker, 2020). When books center Black joy, family, and everyday life, children are more likely to see themselves as readers and storytellers. Books as Mirrors, Windows, and Doors Children need books that act as mirrors (reflecting their own lives), windows (offering insight into others\u2019 experiences), and doors (inviting them to imagine new possibilities). Culturally responsive literacy practices help children develop motivation and identity as readers, particularly for children who have historically been underrepresented in children\u2019s literature (Irby, 2017). Suggested Picture Books&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":331,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":"","_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[1848],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-35284","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-early-and-family-literacy-committee"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35284","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/331"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=35284"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35284\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=35284"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=35284"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=35284"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}