The Reading Essentials: Building Lifelong Readers through Eager Reader Learning Sessions
Adarna Group Foundation, Inc. (AGFI) has officially completed the first batch of its Eager Reader Learning Sessions for 2025, a capacity-building initiative designed to strengthen and promote early literacy practices among learning partners and literacy advocates. With the theme “The Reading Essentials,” the first batch of the learning sessions discussed the key elements of early reading, from creating books for eager readers to equipping participants with effective strategies in teaching foundational reading skills. But beyond their main goal of producing children who can read, these sessions aimed to develop a love of reading among children.
Kicking off the series, Teacher Michelle Agas introduced participants to The Big 6 of Reading: oral language, phonological awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. Teacher Michelle contextualized these concepts using methods familiar to Filipino classrooms, such as the Fuller Approach and the Marungko Approach. After the session, the participants brought home with them a clearer understanding of how these six interrelated skills form the foundation for early reading success. This workshop not only provided them with knowledge but also with an opportunity to collaborate with other educators and/or reading advocates.
“Thank you, team! It is such a joy to be able to learn and collaborate learnings with you all. “
The second session, Crafting Stories for Eager Readers, aimed to expand the reading journey of children through imaginative experiences. Renowned book creators Adarna House, illustrator Liza Flores, and author Liwliwa Malabed, guided participants in crafting developmentally appropriate stories. They shared their creative process and their own personal experiences. The session combined technical instruction with creative exercises, giving participants the chance to brainstorm, draft, and illustrate their own concepts for children’s books. Truly, the session not only showed the technicalities for crafting developmentally appropriate books but was also inspirational for the participants.
“I appreciated how Ms. Liza walked us through her creative process along with helpful visuals, which is an aspect of the work that I rarely get to see. It helped me gain greater clarity in terms of the process through which stories get developed, especially the illustrations.”
“I enjoyed how Ms. Liwa enumerated the various characteristics related to good books and how she also gave examples of children’s books that demonstrated those qualities. It really deepened my understanding and appreciation of the concepts she discussed.”
Wrapping up the first batch of the Eager Reader Learning Sessions, Teacher Pamela Vinoya led participants in an engaging discussion on practical strategies for introducing reading to children through Teaching Beginning Reading. While echoing the session on the Big 6 of Reading, this workshop focused more on the foundational aspects of teaching and fostering a love for reading at an early age. Participants explored developmentally appropriate, hands-on methods that can be applied in both classroom and home settings. Many expressed heartfelt gratitude not only for the insightful content but also for the personalized feedback Teacher Pam provided throughout the activities.
“I liked the part wherein we were able to have an actual experience in creating a lesson plan based on what was previously discussed, and at the same time, we were able to get feedback as well.”
Looking ahead, AGFI has lined up more sessions that respond to the needs of parents and professionals. Upcoming topics include Early Childhood Assessment, which shall equip participants with tools to track and support developmental milestones, and The Early Literate Child, which explores literacy as a continuous, evolving journey rather than a single stage. Through these workshops, AGFI aims to expand its reach not only to literacy but also to other building blocks of early childhood education.
Want to join the upcoming learning sessions? Register now: tinyurl.com/ERLS2025-Batch2, and be part of our growing eager reader community!