The winter season is a time of warmth, reflection, and togetherness—a perfect opportunity to invite caregivers to share their cultural traditions through storytelling. By creating a space for families to read culturally representative books in the classroom not only strengthens the bond between home and school but also celebrates the beautiful diversity within the community.
Family read-alouds are one of my favorite ways to build cultural connections in the classroom. These moments go beyond sharing stories—they foster belonging and highlight the importance of each student’s background. When caregivers share stories from their heritage, they enrich the classroom in several meaningful ways:
Fostering Inclusion: Students see their own cultures represented and learn to appreciate others.
Encouraging Language Development: Bilingual read-alouds provide authentic opportunities for students to hear and engage with multiple languages.
Strengthening School-Home Partnerships: Parents or caregivers become active participants in the learning process, enhancing communication and trust with educators.
Invite Families Early: Send invitations in multiple languages and offer flexible dates and times to accommodate busy schedules.
Offer Book Recommendations: Share a list of books that reflect diverse traditions, or encourage families to bring their favorites.
Include Translation Support: Provide translations or summaries so all students can follow along, even if the book is read in another language.
Provide Multiple Participation Options: If caregivers can’t attend in person, invite them to record their read-aloud or join virtually.
Celebrate with a Discussion: After the reading, encourage students to ask questions and share their thoughts to deepen the connection and learning.
Highlighting Cultural Diversity
The beauty of this strategy lies in its ability to showcase the rich tapestry of traditions within the classroom. A caregiver might read a folktale about holiday celebrations in Mexico, a story about winter traditions in East Asia, or a book that shares Indigenous wisdom about nature during the cold months. Each story adds to the classroom’s understanding of the world and reminds students that learning extends far beyond the school walls.
Let’s Celebrate Together
This winter, let’s embrace the stories that make us unique and bring families closer to the classroom. Through family read-alouds, we can celebrate the power of language, culture, and connection—one story at a time.
I hope you found this post inspiring!
If you’d like a list of culturally representative books for read-alouds, organized by age group and themes, be sure to comment and like this post. Don’t forget to share it with your friends and colleagues!
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Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a wonderful start to 2025!
Christina Leyva
Professional Learning Specialist
Espericueta Bilingual Education Consultancy, LLC
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