Names Matter: Fostering Cultural Awareness Through Multimodal Literacy in a Predominantly White Classroom

Abstract

This article demonstrates how picture books centered on names can foster cultural awareness and identity development in young children. Through a cycle of repeated read-alouds combined with multimodal activities, including visual arts, music, crafts, and generative AI, we guided students toward personal reflection and creative expression. Our findings indicate that this approach extends classroom discussions beyond surface-level comprehension to foster critical thinking and meaningful connections with the students' lived experiences, resulting in high levels of engagement. We provide practical strategies and classroom examples to help educators design inclusive, identity-affirming learning experiences that honor each child's unique story about their names.