Abstract

GUEVARA BENITEZ, Yolanda  and  RUGERIO TAPIA, Juan Pablo. A program to promote preschool teachers' literacy practices in low socio-cultural level schools. J. behav. health soc. ISSUES [online]. 2014, vol.6, n.1, pp.23-36. ISSN 2007-0780.  https://doi.org/10.5460/jbhsi.v6.1.47600.

The emergent literacy perspective asserts that preschool children develop a range of pre-academic and language skills that bring on formal literacy learning. It has been proven that parents and teachers can promote these skills through their literacy practices conducted with children during joint activities such as reading stories and playing with puppets. In turn, behavioral psychology provides a set of techniques that enable the implementation of workshops for teachers. The aim of this study was to test the effectiveness of a behavioral program aimed at preschool teachers to train them in the performance of activities and strategies to promote students' language and pre-academic skills related to early literacy. The participants were four teachers of preschool public schools located in low socio-cultural areas. Three teachers participated in the program and one served as control. There were three testing sessions (pre test, post test and follow up) and seven intervention sessions. The results showed that the program was effective in developing some literacy practices in the teachers. The greatest effects were observed in the shared storybook reading activity. The results and limitations of the study are discussed. Some suggestions are proposed for future programs.

Keywords : Emergent literacy; literacy practices; preschool; teachers.

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