Considers role of multicultural literature in stimulating children's language and cognitive development. Argues that a well-balanced multicultural literature program includes literature that depicts people with a variety of aspirations, from different socioeconomic levels and occupations, and with a range of human characteristics. (DST)

Lists activities to encourage children to use language to validate their experiences. The activities provide opportunities for children to write expressively, guide children to read and respond to literature, help children reflect on their own reading and writing, teach children to respond to each other's writing, and integrate drama into literary…