4 - Shared reading

Summary

Shared reading is an engaging way to support a child’s oral language and literacy development. By pausing during a picture book reading session, adults can ask children to describe characters, identify objects, and discuss traits, helping to expand their vocabulary and comprehension. Through interactive questions and conversations, like naming characters or exploring emotions, children connect with the story on a deeper level. This dynamic exchange promotes critical thinking and lays a strong foundation for future reading skills.

Takeaways

• 😀 Shared reading involves an adult and child reading a book aloud together with the intent to improve the child's oral language.
• 😀 In the early years, before school, an adult is typically the one reading to the child.
• 😀 The conversation between the adult and child during shared reading is an essential aspect for language development.
• 😀 Pausing during a reading session and discussing the book's details helps expand a child's vocabulary with new words and concepts.
• 😀 You can enhance a child's understanding by adding detail to describe objects and characters in the story.
• 😀 Engage in careful observation about characters' traits and characteristics, such as asking questions like 'What kind of cat is this?'
• 😀 Discussing the position of objects in pictures, like asking 'Where is the cat?' helps improve spatial awareness and comprehension.
• 😀 Implying features of characters, like discussing kindness or gentleness, helps develop emotional understanding and empathy in children.
• 😀 Giving characters names, or creating your own if they don’t have one, encourages further engagement and personalization with the story.
• 😀 Shared reading sessions have a direct impact on a child's oral language development, which in turn influences literacy skills such as reading.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of shared reading?

The main purpose of shared reading is to improve a child's oral language skills through an interactive reading session between an adult and a child.

How does shared reading impact a child's vocabulary development?

Shared reading helps expand a child's vocabulary by introducing new words and concepts that they may not encounter in daily conversations.

What role does conversation play in shared reading?

Conversation during shared reading plays a crucial role in helping the child understand the story's details, ask questions, and make connections to the text, which enhances language development.

Why is pausing during a picture book reading important?

Pausing allows the adult and child to discuss the illustrations, characters, and details in the story, helping the child to think critically and expand their vocabulary.

How can discussing a character's traits benefit a child?

Discussing a character's traits helps children understand personality features, fosters empathy, and introduces new descriptive language that can enhance their communication skills.

What is an example of a question an adult can ask to engage a child during shared reading?

An example is: 'What kind of cat do you think this is, Finn?' This engages the child by encouraging them to make observations and predictions.

How can adults help children identify objects in pictures?

Adults can ask the child to point to or describe objects in the pictures, such as 'Where is the black and white cat?' This helps the child practice observation and vocabulary.

Why is it beneficial to give characters names during shared reading?

Giving characters names during shared reading personalizes the story and makes it easier for children to engage with the characters, which can enhance understanding and language development.

What is the significance of using descriptive language when talking about characters?

Using descriptive language helps children expand their vocabulary and understand the nuances of character behavior, fostering better comprehension of the story.

How does shared reading contribute to literacy development?

Shared reading contributes to literacy development by improving oral language skills, which are foundational for later reading and writing proficiency.