Leonie Arthur

Lecturer, School of Education and Early Childhood Studies, College of Arts, Education and Social Sciences,
University of Western Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Popular Culture, Critical Literacy and Young Children

Abstract

With increasing globalisation and technological change popular digital and media culture plays a predominant role in many young children's daily lives, and hence in their literacy learning. Yet many early childhood settings dismiss popular culture as being inappropriate for young children and only value experiences with "quality children's books". This dichotomy marginalises the many children whose literacy experiences include television programs, videos, computer games, internet sites, gameboy games, magazines, catalogues and cereal packages. The breadth and depth of children's diverse experiences with literacy can be incorporated in early childhood settings in ways that provide opportunities for all children to extend their literacy expertise, including the critiquing of texts. It is essential that there is a focus on critical literacy from an early age. Educators can scaffold children's critical literacy through the use of everyday texts such as catalogues, magazines and toy packages as well as children's books, television programs and computer games.

Bionote

Leonie Arthur is a lecturer in early childhood education at the University of Western Sydney, Bankstown campus. Her research and teaching interests are in the area of children's literacy learning in the years before school, including the role of popular culture and critical literacy.

Presentation Type
60 min. workshop

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Country
Australia