Who wrote the book Coquito that taught millions of children to read and write?

From Peru to the world. One of the challenges that educators face in the country is to find tools and resources to carry out their learning days for schoolchildren at all levels of training. Far from a traditional model of letters and numbers, a Peruvian marked a before and after by presenting a playful and attractive system for the little ones, who are curious to know everything and above all, why things are.

His first publication was only the beginning of a successful journey, having as his main achievement the instructor of millions of children, not only in Peru, but in several countries, even non-Spanish-speaking. This is how a national product ended up traveling the world to become part of basic education.

In the following lines we share the details you need to know about its author and how a research in an educational center ended up becoming a book that continues to be a favorite of many despite facing more modern resources, such as videos on digital platforms, among others.

WHO IS THE AUTHOR OF THE BOOK COQUITO?

This educational work was the result of the efforts of Professor Everardo Zapata Santillana, born in the Tambo Valley, located in the Department of Arequipa, Peru. Since childhood he felt the call for study and research, as well as the vocation of teacher to pour his knowledge.

The professional studied at the San Juan Bautista School of Boys in La Salle, an institution from which he graduated as Primary Teacher and was placed in Punta de Bombon, Arequipa, where he founded the First Grade School No. 9638. This was the scenario that served as research for 7 years to find a suitable and effective method for teaching children to read, write and think.

In a recent interview, the educator, who is on his way to 100 years old, keeps his mind lucid and worked. Likewise, the professional says that he is not afraid of death, because he feels that he has already fulfilled his mission in the world.

He is the author of more than 60 publications of works and teaching materials for preschool and primary school. His work caught the attention of the Ministry of Education, an institution that awarded him the Magisterial Palms in the highest degree of Amauta. The Provincial Council of Arequipa earned him the Gold Medal, Medal of Culture, designated him as “Favorite Son of the City” and Cultural Heritage of the City.

A SUCCESS STORY

The book Coquito was first released in the city of Arequipa, in 1955. By 2022 it will be 67 years old, being one of the most traditional pedagogical tools for teachers and parents.

WHAT IS THE SYSTEM USED?

It is known as the Global Word Method, in addition to the use of images that are closely related to the words presented on each page. On its official website they describe it as an educational support that seeks to “provide children with a simple and effective way to use their vocabulary, thus stimulating learning to read in an agile and efficient way”.

On its official platform you can find downloadable activities, audio stories and online games. There are currently 10 official places where you can find the editions. Peru is not the only one that has added it to Everardo Zapata's educational practices. His publications can be found in the United States, Mexico, Venezuela, Ecuador, Colombia, Bolivia, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Panama, Nicaragua, Guatemala and El Salvador.

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