Reading comprehension and critical thinking skills are vital components of literacy and learning. Without them, students struggle to make the transition from learning to read to reading to learn. But in rural Guatemalan classrooms, most teachers use traditional methods of reading instruction that focus on memorization and the mechanics of reading. Students learn to decode words and read simple sentences but often do not understand what they are reading.

In this video, see how Child Aid’s teacher training program is transforming how reading and literacy are taught in Guatemala. It all begins with the simple act of reading aloud to kids. In our training workshops, teachers learn practical techniques for not only making storytime fun and engaging but also developing students’ reading comprehension and critical thinking skills. Visit a classroom where teacher Demetria Estacuy de Leon is using read-aloud techniques she learned from Child Aid to help her first grade students understand and remember details of a story. Students mimic her actions while she reads, responding to questions and contributing their ideas to the learning process.