The Promise of “Once Upon a Time”

Supporting African American Children as Emerging Storytellers to Promote Literacy Development

Children’s oral storytelling abilities have the potential to support children’s academic and social well-being. For African American children, these abilities are a key oral language skill with the potential to foster improved literacy outcomes from as early as preschool. This workshop will review the research on African American children’s oral storytelling, implications for literacy, and practical ways that adults can promote these skills in children. After participating in this session, attendees should be able to identify practices that support African American children’s oral storytelling, discuss ways that adults (e.g., parents, educators) can collaborate to provide storytelling opportunities for African American children, and engage in evidence-based strategies to promote African American children’s oral storytelling.