It’s never too late to become a reader.
In this Georgia Reads Week Q&A, Ana Solano-Campos, associate professor and program coordinator for the early childhood and elementary education doctoral program, encourages people of all ages to find stories that speak to them and consider how they can support literacy efforts in their homes and communities.
Q: Why are statewide literacy initiatives like Georgia Reads Week important for children, families and communities?
A: “Georgia Reads Week reminds us that we are in this together! Reading is for everyone, everywhere. When we show that, we strengthen a caring relationship to each other and to the world.”
Q: Can you talk a little bit about your research on literacy in dual-language programs and in linguistically diverse school settings?
A: “Of course! I help schools and families to draw on up-to-date knowledge about how bilingualism and multilingualism work and on the strengths of bilingual/multilingual minds and communities. Through teacher education and research, I support opportunities for bilingual children to become biliterate; that is, to be able to read and write in two (or more) languages.”
Q: How can literacy initiatives support multilingual learners and diverse communities?
A: “By encouraging and supporting children to read in any language! Read in English. Read in Spanish. Read in Mandarin. Read in Arabic. Read in all and any of the languages that you know. Read, read, read. Have you ever come across a book that was in another language? Why wait for a translation when you could read it in the original? Or what about reading the same book in two different languages? How interesting would it be to see how the same idea is expressed in each language?”
Q: For adults who aren’t teachers or parents, what is one way they can support literacy in their local community?
A: “Support your local library! Donate. Volunteer. Sponsor.”
Q: What are some unexpected places in everyday life (like grocery stores or parks) where families can naturally build reading and language skills?
A: “Oracy is the foundation of reading/writing. Tell stories! Use your imagination. Imagine how you would describe your favorite ice cream to someone who has no idea what it is. Play with language. Tell jokes! Sing songs! Write poems!”
Q: What are some of your favorite books to read with kids?
A: “I love tenderness in books. I also love books that show children that things can be complex. For example, ‘Soñadores’ by Yuyi Morales, or ‘A veces yo soy lo que necesito’ by Juliana Perdomo.”
Q: Anything else you'd like to add?
A: “Maybe one day, somewhere, you got this idea that you did not like reading. It does not matter if you are a child, a teenager or an adult. Don’t believe it. Keep trying with different types of texts and stories, until you find the one that melts your heart. It is out there waiting for you!”
To learn more about Georgia Reads Week, visit https://georgiareads.org.