JoLIE 14:1/2021

 

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BOOKS AND SONGS FOR CHILDREN FOR DEVELOPING MULTIPLE LITERACIES

 

 

Zhivka Ilieva

Shumen University, Bulgaria

 

 

 

Abstract

 

Nowadays, the notion of literacy is not limited to the ability to read and write. It incorporates a multitude of competences which are important for the modern world. They are collectively referred to as multiple literacies and include social, health, environmental, visual, digital literacy, etc. All can be easily developed in the EFL (English as a foreign language) classroom by using books and songs for children. In the present article, I provide a descriptive account of books and songs for children regarding their potential for the development of children’s literacies. After reviewing the various literacy types, I refer to songs, more precisely freely accessible YouTube clips for young and very young learners, and picture books and e-books, as well as the literacy items they develop.

They all develop visual literacy, and most of them also develop social, environmental, global, digital, media and information literacy. By availing ourselves of the opportunities modern materials provide, we can work towards the development of the child as a whole by realising various integrative (cross-curricular) links between subjects.

 

Keywords: ELT; Young learners; Literacy development; Multiple literacies; Songs; Stories; Picture books.

 

 

References

 

Blake, C. (2016). Defining multiple literacies: The expression of learning in many formats. Concordia University Nebraska, Professional Resources. Retrieved 20 June, 2020 from https://online.cune.edu/defining-multiple-literacies/

 

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Kerka, S. (2003b). Introduction. In G.A. Hull, L. Mikulecky, R. St. Clair, & S. Kerka (Eds.), Multiple literacies. A companion for adult educators (pp. 2-3). Columbus: Center on Education and Training for Employment, College of Education, The Ohio State University.

 

Krueger, M. (2014). Maurice Sendak’s where the wild things are as an example of teaching visual literacy. CLELEjournal, 2(2), 50-64.

 

Lee, C. (2016). Teaching multiple literacies and critical literacy to pre-service teachers through children’s-literature-based engagements. Journal of Language & Literacy Education, 12(1). Retrieved 20 April, 2021, from http://jolle.coe.uga.edu

 

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Mourao, S. (2011). Picturebooks are for children and teenagers. C&Ts: Children & Teenagers, the publication of the young learner and teenager special interest group, 1, 5-11.

 

Mourao, S. (2013). Picturebook: Object of discovery. In J. Bland, & C. Lutge (Eds.), Children’s literature in second language education (pp. 71-84). London: Bloomsbury.

 

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St. Clair, R. (2003). Environmental literacy. In G.A. Hull, L. Mikulecky, R. St. Clair, & S. Kerka (Eds.), Multiple literacies. A companion for adult educators (pp. 14-17). Columbus: Center on Education and Training for Employment, College of Education, The Ohio State University.

 

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List of Pedagogical Resources

 

A Doctor–Rhymes on profession, Retrieved 20 April, 2021, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFnRQn9bT8Y

 

Amery, H., & Cartwright, S. (2004). Tractor in trouble. London: Usborne Publishing Ltd.

 

Bedford, D., & Field, E. (2016). My turn. London: Little Tiger Press.

 

Berenstain S., Berenstain J. (1978). The Berenstain bears go to school. Random House: New York. Retrieved 20 April, 2021, from https://www.kidsworldfun.com/ebooks/The-Berenstain-Bears-go-to-School.pdf

 

Bourgeois, P. (1999). Franklin and the tooth fairy. Columbus: Atlas Editions Inc.

 

Brushing Song | Brush Your Teeth Song | Good Habits Nursery Rhymes for Babies & Kids Songs. Retrieved 20 April, 2021, from https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-eqbUgsI3RQ

 

Carle, E. (2016). The very hungry caterpillar. London: Penguin Books Limited.

 

Cleanliness song for children. Retrieved 20 April, 2021, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MG56G9XR1k.

 

Dental health songs/rhymes. Retrieved 20 April, 2021, from https://www.pinterest.com/zaneymom/dental-health-songsrhymes/

 

Donaldson, J., & Scheffler, A. (2016). Monkey puzzle. London: Macmillan Children’s Books.

 

Exercise songs for children | Movement songs for kids | Best of Patty Shukla | 44 Minutes. Retrieved 20 April, 2021, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pISwIAgGRqk

 

Freeman, D. (1991). Corduroy. Columbus: Atlas Editions Inc.

 

Fruit song for kids | The singing walrus. Retrieved 20 April, 2021, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfReSbQ7jzE.

 

Garvett, E. (2017). The odd egg. London: Macmillan Children’s Books.

 

Going to the Dentist Song | Original Songs | By LBB Junior. Retrieved 20 April, 2021, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bv5lq78yw4

 

Going to the doctors | Original songs | By LBB Junior. Retrieved 20 April, 2021, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukohMbBvSxU

 

Healthy food – Learning songs collection for kids and children with lyrics. Retrieved 20 April, 2021, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AI7lO2QP_A

 

Healthy food Vs Junk food song! Retrieved 20 April, 2021, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fE8lezHs19s

 

Henkes, K. (1993). Owen. Columbus: Greenwillow Books.

 

Henkes, K. (2000). Chrysanthemum. Columbus: Atlas Editions Inc.

 

Hood, S. (author), Mitchell, Ch. (illustrator). (2019). Candy king. Sooper Books, the World’s No.1 Bedtime stories website. Retrieved 20 April, 2021, from https://sooperbooks.com/story/candy-king/.

 

Hood, S. (2020). The posh rat. Sooper Books, the World’s No.1 Bedtime stories website. Retrieved 20 April, 2021, from https://sooperbooks.com/story/the-posh-rat/

 

Hygiene – Learning songs collection for kids and children | Baby Songs. Retrieved 20 April, 2021, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFL7H2197bU

 

Ice cream once in a while| Healthy food song for children | Debbie Doo. Retrieved 20 April, 2021, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZ60zhvMlGk&list=RDQMoMeThx9Xvls

 

Inpken, C., & Inpken, M. (2014). We’re not scared. London: Macmillan Children’s Books.

Little doctor – Panda’s hospital | Nursery Rhymes | Kids Songs | BabyBus. Retrieved 20 April, 2021, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDeBbMRoPvk

 

Litton, J., & Miller, L. (2012). The best bed. Dorking: Pippbrook Books, The Templar Company Limited.

 

Locke, L. (2013). Wash your hands. Unite for Literacy. Retrieved 20 April, 2021, from https://www.uniteforliteracy.com/unite/healthyme/book?BookId=141

 

Mann, P. (2001). This is the house that mouse built. Bath: Reader’s Digest Children’s Publishing Inc.

 

Metcalf, P., & Johnson-Isaac, C. (2015). Rabbits don’t lay eggs. London: Macmillan Children’s Books.

 

Monks, L. (2014). Mungo monkey goes to school. London: EGMONT.

 

Moore, C. (2001). Ollie’s jar. Retrieved 20 April, 2021, from http://www.magickeys.com/books/ollie/index.html

 

Moore, C. (2010). Buzzy bee. Retrieved 20 April, 2021, from http://www.magickeys.com/books/bee/index.html

 

Moroney, Tr. (2017). The things I love about bedtime. Richmond: Bonnier Publishing Australia.

 

Number Train 1 to 10 | Numbers Song Collection | Counting Songs and Numbers Songs from Dave and Ava. Retrieved 20 April, 2021, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQ-KT0cQmik

 

Riddulph, R. (2017). Odd dog out. A stand out story about not fitting in. London: HarperCollins Children’s Books.

 

Roberts, H. (2008). The brave monkey pirate. Children’s Storybooks Online. Retrieved 20 April, 2021, from http://www.magickeys.com/books/bravemonkey/index.html

 

Robinson, H. (author), Sanfilippo, S. (illustrator). (2013). Cinderella and the beanstalk. Crabtree Publishing Company, ISBN: 9781427192288 Retrieved 20 April, 2021, from https://www.getepic.com/app/read/7920

 

Robinson, L. (2014). There’s a monster under my bed. Sywell: Igloo Books Ltd.

 

Shoshan, B. (2008). Mess monsters. London: Meadowside Children’s books.

 

Song on Hygiene – Five things used for Hygiene. Retrieved 20 April, 2021, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eh0_KjbrcBs

 

Stoyanova, A. (2020). Elephant Finn. Shumen: Konstantin Preslavsky University Press. Retrieved 20 April, 2021, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZPAtpJIo_c&feature=youtu.be

 

The Numbers Song – Learn to Count from 1 to 10 - Number Rhymes for Children. Retrieved 20 April, 2021, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ea5-SIe5l7M

 

This Is the Way We Go to School | School Songs | Songs for Kids | The Kiboomers. Retrieved 20 April, 2021, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsIb5L0_pGY

 

Time to go to school today–Kid’s song. Retrieved 20 April, 2021, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcbLVwAR3kc

 

Top 10 Counting Songs | Learn to Count | Super Simple Songs. Retrieved 20 April, 2021, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7D4K9oi7oBM

 

Wake Up! Daily Routines Song for Kids. Retrieved 20 April, 2021, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUXkj6j6Ezw

 

Wash my hands song | Teach Children Hand Washing, Toddler Learning Video, Baby Song, Nursery Rhyme. Retrieved 20 April, 2021, from https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=w2INKY48zE0&vl=en

 

Wash up song–“Scruba Dub Dub” – Cleanliness & Hygiene Video – Kids. Retrieved 20 April, 2021, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5d2qM-ZmUCQ.

 

Wash your hands–Lottie Dottie Chicken – Kids Songs and Nursery Rhymes in English. Retrieved 20 April, 2021, from https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=D15nFHWHu7Y

 

Wilhelm, H. (1988). Never Lonely Again. Random House: New York. Retrieved 20 April, 2021, from https://www.kidsworldfun.com/ebook-never-lonely-again.php

 

Yarlett, E. (2016). Nibbles. The Book Monster. London: Little Tiger Press.

 

 

Acknowledgements

 

This article is published with funding from project RD-08, 91/01.02.2021, Scientific Research Fund of Shumen University, Bulgaria.

 

 

How to cite this article: Ilieva, Z. (2021). Books and songs for children for developing multiple literacies. Journal of Linguistic and Intercultural Education – JoLIE, 14(1), 45-64. doi: https://doi.org/10.29302/jolie.2021.14.1.3

 

 

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