The pictures become vehicles for give-and-take conversations between parent and child.Īdults should allow the child at least 5 seconds to respond before prompting or responding for the child. When your child is older, you can use more open-ended questions to engage in dialogic reading.Įxample: 'What is happening?' 'How do you think she feels?' 'Why?' 'Have you ever felt that way?' Parents can tie what is happening in the picture to events in the childs life: 'Do you remember when.?' Then talk about it!Īll of this talk surrounds the pictures in the book - not necessarily the story. If your child can't answer, go ahead and answer - but then encourage your child to repeat what you have said.Įxample: If your child shows particular interest in something in a picture (by pointing or talking about it, for example), ask questions about that thing and encourage your child to talk!Īlways keep it fun - like a game! You can try reading one page and talking about the pictures on the next.

When your child answers a question, repeat what they say and add a little to it.Įxample: 'Yes, that's the truck - the big red dump truck!' Yes-or-no questions work well too.Įxample: Point to a picture of something on the page and say: 'What's this?' or 'What's this called?'įollow up with questions that build on the first one.Įxample: If your child names the item 'Truck,' you might ask: 'What color is the truck?' or 'What's this part of the truck called?' You can ask them to point to something on the page, or name an object. Let's Try It!Īsk close-ended questions while looking at the pictures in the book. It's a fun and different way of sharing books-and their pictures. You will usually use Dialogic Reading with a book you have already shared with your child.

What is Dialogic Reading?ĭialogic Reading (or Hear and Say Reading) is using the pictures in a book to talk with your child. Dialogic Reading is a fun way to share books with your younger preschooler of two or three years. Sharing books with children is important, but the WAY we share them is just as important! Research has suggested different ways of sharing a book that can help parents and caregivers teach early literacy skills in various and engaging ways.

Cows in the kitchen by june crebbin