It is our kuleana( responsibility) to provide children with early literacy opportunities that are culturally appropriate, developmentally appropriate, and accessible— even when working on foundational skills such as alphabet knowledge. We have the power to choose materials that make sense for the children and families we serve.
About the Authors
Colleen E. Whittingham, PhD, is a clinical assistant professor at Loyola University Chicago. Her teaching, research, and consulting work investigate justice-centered practices that foster young children’ s literate lives. cwhitti @ luc. edu
Germaine K. Tauati, MAEd, is the early literacy program director with INPEACE( Institute for Native Pacific Education and Culture) in Hilo, Hawai‘ i. She specializes in cultural-based education and is an experienced trainer, mentor coach, and former early education teacher. germainet @ inpeace. org
References
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Photographs: pp. 16, 18 courtesy of Solomon Alfapada; p. 21 courtesy of the authors Copyright © 2025 by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. See Permissions and Reprints online at NAEYC. org / resources / permissions.
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