Enhancing Language Skills through sharing books – NIEPMD, By Monish V

Hi All,

sharing the details of another presentation I have attended today. Below are the details of the session:

Topic – Enhancing Language Skills through sharing books series IV
Date – 21st March 2022 4:00 pm to 4:30 pm IST
Mode of Presentation – Online Webinar
Speaker – Monish V , Lecturer in Speech and hearing

This session was organized by NIEPMD ( National Institute of Empowerment of Persons with Multiple Disabilities)

Below are the points shared in the presentation:

(I was not able to attend the series from the beginning, hence sharing the points of this particular session alone.)

1) Shared book reading by parents with children will benefit in the following:

a) Child will learn new words from the books
b) When we teach the words with the respective pictures, they will understand what the word means as well
c) It will increase their vocabulary
d) It will provide a positive parent child engagement and interaction
e) Will provide oral language development as well
f) They will understand the language
g) It helps in improving the pre-academic skills as well
h) It will develop the social skills
i) Emotional control will be developed
j) Educational awareness

2) Creating an appropriate reading environment and routine

a) The environment where the shared reading will takes place has to be organized.
b) There should not be any distractions that affects the focus / concentration of the child.
c) This has to be made as a routine on a daily basis, so that there exits a consistency and predictability.
d) Children can sit on lap of the child or on the chair during the book reading based on the needs or comfort level of the child.

3) Consider the child’s interests

a) The books that are selected for shared reading should be related to the topics which the child likes.
b) Select books which has more pictures and less sentences per page
c) Select the book based on the special interest of the child (Animal, Cartoon character, etc..), for encouragement during initial times.
e) Also provide choice to the child by offering two or three books and let the child select which book they want to read today.
f) Also pick books that has sentences which are used in day to day life.

4) Read it Again and Again

a) If the child is interested in a particular book, he can read it again and again.
b) If there are difficult words used in the sentences, search for an easier or alternative word to make the child understand.
c) Always read the story books slowly. Stress sentences or words that carry importance.

5) How to turn Book reading into conversation

Book reading should happen in a face to face manner, so that child observes our facial expression.
Change the story time in to a conversation time. For example, after reading the sentences in a particular page, you can ask the child to read the sentence again or make him read the sentence in the next page, like taking turns between pages. Or ask questions from pages you just read to the child, if a boy is involved what was the boys name, if there were objects of different color, ask the child what was red in color in that page etc..?
Make the child hold the book during the shared reading. (Provides an active role to the child)
Also make the child turn the pages when a page is read. (Provides an active role to the child)

6) Make your own book

a) You need not buy all kids of books from outside, you can make your own.
b) You can use pictures which you have and make a book
c) You can make drawings can create your own book
d) The book should again focus on aspects which the child is interested
e) You can have simple sentences in the books which you use on a daily basis.

7) Interactive books

a) This can be made at home as well.
b) A good example is pop up books, where it gives a 3D view of the story book.
c) Another example is touch and feel books, you can make books using wool, cotton,

8) Picture books about special events

Like if you have been to zoo, take pictures of that place and create your own book about that visit. Add sentences on each photos like what we are doing in that photo.
Similarly birthday celebration, etc…
It is like an album converted in to a story book.

9) Sharing books across stages

There are two aspects of speech, i.e. receptive and expressive. Shared reading helps in both the aspects. The child understands what is being read from the book, which improves the receptive skills, at the same time, you can ask the child to perform certain actions which is done in the story book, which shall provide scope to exhibit his expressive skills as well.
You can point of the picture of the child in the book and ask who is this, and ask about the birthday celebration picture and ask him whose celebration is that.. etc..

If you make a list of target words which your child needs to learn and incorporate it as a book using pictures or drawings, read it repeatedly on a consistent basis, we can improve the language skills of our children.

Regards,

Saranya and karthik

Karthiksaranyaparents@gmail.com