At the Early Excellence Project, we believe that every story offers an opportunity to help our little learners develop a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them. One powerful book that encourages young children to explore their identity and family roots is Who Are Your People by Bakari Sellers. This beautifully illustrated picture book helps children learn about their heritage, family values, and the strength that comes from knowing where they come from.
In this post, we'll share ways you can engage your little learner with this meaningful book while supporting their literacy development.
Making Connections to Your Own Family
In Who Are Your People, Bakari Sellers speaks about the importance of knowing one's history and understanding the people who came before us. After reading the book with your child, encourage them to talk about their own family. Ask questions like:
"Who are the people in our family?"
"What stories do we know about them?"
"What makes our family special?"
This conversation not only reinforces comprehension but also fosters a sense of pride in their background. You could even create a simple family tree together, letting your child draw or place pictures of family members on a chart. This visual can help connect the themes of the book to your child’s real life.
Building Vocabulary Through Storytelling
The language in Who Are Your People? is rich and poetic. Take time to introduce new vocabulary words, such as “ancestors,” “heritage,” or “resilience.” Here’s a fun way to reinforce vocabulary:
After reading, choose 3-5 new words from the story.
Create a “word of the day” chart where your child can learn the word, use it in a sentence, and even draw a picture of what the word means to them.
This activity makes learning new words interactive and helps develop stronger language skills.
Character Exploration: Who Inspires You?
Who Are Your People? highlights the idea of being inspired by those who came before us. Ask your child to think about someone in the book or someone in their own life who inspires them. This could be a grandparent, a teacher, or even a friend. Then, engage in a fun writing or drawing activity:
Younger learners can draw a picture of their inspiring person.
Older children can write a sentence or two about why that person is special.
This activity connects literacy with emotional development as your child reflects on the qualities of people they admire.
Cultural Traditions: Celebrating Differences
The book beautifully honors the traditions and stories of African American history, but it also opens the door to celebrating all cultures. Use this opportunity to talk with your child about the traditions your family follows, whether it’s a favorite holiday, food, or story. Ask your child:
“What traditions do we have in our family?”
“How do these traditions make us feel connected to our past?”
Encouraging this kind of dialogue helps children build a sense of identity and promotes cultural awareness.
Art and Creativity
Art is a wonderful way to reinforce literacy skills! After reading Who Are Your People?, let your child express their ideas through art. Here’s a simple art project:
Have your child draw their own “people”—whether it’s their family members, ancestors, or even friends who are like family.
Create a collage or mural that celebrates their community.
As they create, you can ask them to describe who they are drawing, encouraging storytelling and building their narrative skills.
Encouraging Pride and Awareness
Who Are Your People? by Bakari Sellers is more than just a story. It’s an invitation for children to explore their roots, connect with their history, and find pride in who they are. Try using some of these strategies during your reading time at home to foster your child’s sense of self and encourage a love for learning that will last a lifetime.
Stay tuned for more literacy lessons for little learners! Happy reading!
Looking for more Literacy Lessons for Little Learners to support your child in learning to read and building reading comprehension and fluency? Check out other blog posts from this series:
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