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Read to Children to Promote Language Development

	Standard: IV.A.1 - Gains meaning by listening Standard: IV.C.1 - Shows an understanding of words and their meanings Standard: IV.C.2 - Uses an expanded vocabulary to describe many objects, actions, and events

Interactive reading develops children’s conversational and listening skills. In interactive reading, books are used as tools for promoting dialogue, learning new vocabulary through picture labeling, building expressive language skills, and increasing narrative understanding through conversations about the book. Interactive reading promotes a deeper understanding and interpretation of books. During interactive reading teachers should strive to do the following things:

Prompt children to be actively involved in conversations about the meaning of the book. Clarify and extend children's understandings about the meaning of the Book. Expand and extend the language of children's responses. Explain the meanings of some of the unusual vocabulary included in the book. Prompt children to use the new vocabulary in their responses.

Interactive reading is designed to encourage children to ask questions and make comments. The teacher strategically makes comments and asks questions while reading to encourage children to talk about the book. What kinds of comments can teachers make to encourage children to talk about the book? Try these comments:

Appropriate questions for interactive reading include:

	Fill-in-the-blank:	"The papa bear said ______"
	Recall:	"What did Goldilocks do when she went upstairs?"
	Open-Ended questions with no right or wrong answer:	"How did the three bears treat Goldilocks?"
	Who, What, Where, When, Why questions:	"Why do you think Goldilocks went inside the bears' house?"   "Who do you think was most afraid?"
	Did you ever?	"Did you ever go into someone's house or room without    being invited?"