Coffee Chat—May 13, 2020

Optimizing Shared Book Reading

Howard Goldstein University of South Florida

Elizabeth Kelley University of Missouri

Why is shared book reading important?

Children learn Sets the stage for language through school success

books

Promotes conversation Builds child’s

between adults imagination and children

Why is shared book reading important?

Children learn Sets the stage for language through school success

books

Promotes

Helps children develop vocabulary, acquire syntax and grammar,

conversation Builds child’s

listening comprehension, inferential language, print concepts,

between adults imagination

phonological awareness, alphabet knowledge...

and children

How to Read with a Child

• Repeat the book

• Engage your children

• Ask questions

• Do more

Use shared reading to teach vocabulary.

✓ Choose good words to teach.

✓ Teach words explicitly.

3. Words you can teach well

4. New words

5. Useful words

Choose good words to teach.

Good Choices Not as Good

disappointed Martians thrilled auditorium

worried mammoth speedy masterpiece

search dictator horrible peninsula

explore elated

Teach words explicitly.

Teach with a simple definition.

Use meaningful examples and real-life contexts.

Opportunities to practice.

Teach explicitly: “giggle” “Listen to this word: giggle.”

“Listen to this word: giggle.” Teach with a definition.

“Giggle means laugh.” Give examples.

“In this story, Sara is giggling at her silly friend. She is laughing at him!” Make connections.

“Let’s think of things that make you giggle. What about if your mommy tickles you? Or if your friend makes a silly face? Those things would make you giggle.” “Remember, giggle means laugh.”

“Remember, giggle means laugh.”

The Forest Friends are thrilled! They are excited to go to the carnival. Thrilled. Say thrilled. (2) Thrilled means excited. Tell me, what word means excited? (2) Thrilled! Good work! When are you thrilled? (2) What about… when you get a present! …Or your friends come over to play! I bet that makes you feel excited. Now, lift the flap. Look! These boys are at a birthday party. They are excited. They are thrilled! Tell me, what does thrilled mean? (3) Excited! That’s right.