Pagbasa ang Pag-asa: AGFI Hosts First Province-Wide Workshop for Child Development Workers in Tarlac
On April 12, 2024, Bulwagang Kanlahi in Tarlac City was abuzz with anticipation as 546 child development workers (CDWs) from across the province of Tarlac gathered for Adarna Group Foundation, Inc. (AGFI)’s first province-wide event, the Pagbasa ang Pag-asa Forum. This one-day workshop, held in collaboration with Adarna House and the Provincial Government of Tarlac, aimed to highlight the value of early reading and to inspire learning partners to continuously promote reading and cultivate the love for reading and books.
Present to honor the event were Ms. Emelina Almario and Ms. Vanessa Estares from AGFI, Ms. Melissa Ann Macarubbo from LBC Foundation, and Ms. Melissa Yeung-Yap, Ms. Ma. Elena Jalos, and Ms. Amelia Pamintuan from the Provincial Government of Tarlac. Distinguished guests, including Hon. Christian Tell Yap and Gov. Susan Yap, also graced the occasion.
The event featured two learning sessions:
EFFECTIVE STORYTELLING (Magkuwentuhan Tayo!)
Teacher Dyali Justo's Magkuwentuhan Tayo! workshop began by exploring the art's history and techniques. From cave drawings to famous characters like Mother Goose and Lola Basyang, she emphasized various methods like theater and interactive books, stressing the need to prepare and to engage the audience.
Throughout the session, she talked about the importance of voice modulation, facial expressions, and body movement in storytelling, urging authenticity and reflection. After demonstrating how to hold a storytelling session, Teacher Dyali tasked the participants to form groups to apply what they had learned through reciting lines from the children’s story "Si Pagong at Si Matsing.” This hands-on approach gave the CDWs the opportunity to show off their skills.
TEACHING BEGINNING READING (Anong Basa N’yo?)
Teacher Portia Padilla's workshop on Teaching Beginning Reading, on the other hand, started with an interactive round of Human Bingo. This icebreaker encouraged the participants to connect over shared experiences, such as possessing local children's book collections and believing in the importance of teaching sounds before letters. With each signature collected, the CDWs delved deeper into the essential elements that lay the groundwork for effective reading instruction, bringing Teacher Portia to her main topic.
She introduced the Four-Pronged Approach to Teaching Beginning Reading which emphasizes the multifaceted nature of reading comprehension. She highlighted the significance of various forms of texts, from weather patterns to written symbols, in developing reading skills. To demonstrate, Teacher Portia utilized children's books and songs like "Ako Ay May Lobo" and “Bahay Kubo” to illustrate different levels of reading comprehension. Additionally, she shared practical strategies and tools to enhance understanding of words and sounds. Through these methods, Teacher Portia equipped the CDWs to effectively encourage children to develop reading skills as well as embrace the joy of reading.
At the end of the workshop, each CDW received materials from Adarna Group Foundation and Adarna House to support their work. These consisted of big books, Kaya Ko Na! activity books, and Buri activity sheets for their respective child development centers.
In conclusion, the Pagbasa ang Pag-asa Forum not only provided valuable insights and practical tools but also fostered the growth of a community dedicated to nurturing a culture of reading among Tarlac's youngest learners.
For partnership inquiries and more information on how to bring AGFI’s programs to your community, email us at adarnagroupfoundation@agfi.com.ph.
Together, let’s make #EveryFilipinoChildAReader!