The Power of Children’s Literature
Thursday, Apr 20, 2023
1:30pm - 3:30pm
Lecture by:
Norma MacFarlane
Most everyone has experienced the “bedtime story” at some time. This familiar ritual is a treasured memory for many of us: a loving parent, grandparent or caregiver reading aloud to ease a child’s transition from daytime activity to sleep. Whether fairy tales or fables, princesses or pirates, silly or serious, children love a good book, especially when shared with a loved one.
Whether reading to a child at bedtime or at any other time, children’s literature has the power to support their development and well-being in many ways. Today, the shelves of bookstores and libraries are filled with quality books written for children that all have something to offer them. There are books to make them laugh, transport them to imaginary places and immerse them in make-believe adventures. There are books that can help strengthen a child’s social-emotional development or introduce them to diverse cultures and people whose life experiences and perspectives may be quite different from their own. There are books that can teach them about almost anything.
Focusing on children from 3 to 12 years of age, this lecture will examine some of the children’s literature available on bookshelves today and discuss how reading them with a child can support not only the development of their literacy skills, but help them to better understand themselves and others and acquire knowledge, skills and attitudes that can help them navigate the complex world in which they are growing up.
About Norma MacFarlane
Norma MacFarlane
Norma MacFarlane (M.Ed.) is a retired educator with over 40 years’ experience working with elementary school children and teachers with a particular focus on improving literacy teaching and learning. She began her career with the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) as a classroom teacher where she developed a passion for children’s literature and a deep appreciation of the role it can play in supporting not only children’s literacy learning but their personal development and well-being. Norma eventually moved from the classroom to a board-level position as a Consultant in the Curriculum and Instruction department (Literacy), subsequently assuming the position of department Coordinator.
Following her retirement from the WRDSB, Norma took a position with the Ontario Ministry of Education in the Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat, at which time she was assigned to schools and school boards in Northern Ontario to provide literacy curriculum and instruction support for teachers and administrators. This experience was followed by two years working with Pearson Publishing as their National Literacy Consultant delivering professional development opportunities for teachers and administrators across Canada and developing student and teacher resources to support literacy instruction and assessment.