Ready to Read Using Dialogic Reading

Agenda Welcome Opening Activity What the Research Says What is Dialogic Reading Type of Books to use for Dialogic Reading Practice Wrap-up

Learning Outcomes Participants will be able to: Explain what Dialogic Reading is and why it is important to use with young children Describe the steps in CAR method Identify the characteristics of appropriate books for Dialogic Reading

Reflections on Reading What do you remember about reading as a child? What was your favorite book when you were a child? Why?

How we read with children early in life gives them a gateway to understanding our world and developing a love of books.

What the Research Says Picture book reading provides children with many of the skills that are necessary for school readiness: vocabulary, sound structure, the meaning of print, the structure of stories and language, sustained attention, the pleasure of learning. Grover J. (Russ) Whitehurst, Ph.D., Director, Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education.

What the Research Says Children who have been read to dialogically are substantially ahead of children who have been read to traditionally on tests of language development. Grover J. (Russ) Whitehurst, Ph.D., Director, Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education.

What is Dialogic Reading? The term “dialogic reading” means a dialog or conversation about a book. The goal is to make children active participants in shared picture book reading rather than passive listeners to stories being read by adults. It is an intervention to support emergent literacy and literacy acquisition among young children.

The CAR Method Draws upon 3 solid research bases: Early language is critical to later academic success. Parents and teachers can use simple language facilitation strategies after brief training. Strengthening a child’s first language- the language spoken at home- will also support the development of English. from Language is the Key by Washington Learning Systems 2006

The CAR Method Asks the adult to “Follow the child’s lead” while they use the following research based strategies to facilitate language. Comment and wait Ask questions and wait Respond by adding a little more from Language is the Key by Washington Learning Systems, 2006

Comment and Wait Describe the picture: Wait 5 seconds: “There’s a dog.” “He’s driving a truck.” “They are riding bikes.” Wait 5 seconds: Allows the child time to say more. Let’s the child know the adult is interested in what they have to say. from Language is the Key by Washington Learning Systems, 2006

Ask Questions and Wait Ask questions about: Wait 5 seconds the pictures what is happening in the book what the child is interested in what the child is pointing to Wait 5 seconds This gives the child time to: think about the answer give the answer from Language is the Key by Washington Learning Systems, 2006

Respond by Adding a Little More This keeps the conversation going Helps the child to speak in complete sentences Introduces new vocabulary

A Closer Look View the video Talking with Books While you watch look for: Comment and Wait Ask Questions and Wait Respond by adding a little more One thing about second language learners

Books for Dialogic Reading have clear pictures have a simple story are not too long have pictures of things that are familiar to the child show action and detail in the pictures are interesting to the child From Hear and Say, 1999

Practice With a partner: Pick a book from the table Decide who will facilitate using the CAR strategies and who will respond After 10 minutes pick a new book and switch roles

Summary Follow the child’s interest. Don’t push the child with more prompts than they can handle. Keep it fun.