I recently wrote a post about repeated readings of picture books and the benefits for your child. Research states that repeating readings in a specific way can help improve your child’s language and learning. To see the full post and tips, click here.
How can you encourage language and learning with repeated readings of The Monkey Balloon?
1. Provide positive comments in response to your child’s comments (for example, your child points out “I see the ice cream store” You say “Good job seeing the ice cream store”)
2. Give answers to your child’s questions.
3. Using visual aids or props. Use our picture sequencing cards to help your child engage in the storytelling process.
4. Ask your child open ended questions. For example, ask your child “Where do you think The Monkey Balloon went?”
5. Encourage your child to participate. Ask your child to hold the book or help you turn the pages of The Monkey Balloon. Get your child involved with putting the sequencing cards on the Velcro Board.
6. Label specific pictures/objects/action in the book. For example, when reading The Monkey Balloon, say “I see the fish in the ocean”, “I see the girl going down the slide”, etc.
7. Define new vocabulary. Discuss new words! If your child is young, you may have to define certain words. Focus on sight words as well. For a list of the sight words in The Monkey Balloon, click here.
8. Relate the book to a personal experience. Ask your child, “Did you ever lose a balloon?, How did you feel when you lost the balloon?”, “Do you like ice cream? If so, what is your favorite flavor?”
How many times should you read The Monkey Balloon? According to this article written by Trivette, Simkus, Dunst and Homby (2012), they suggest the following guidelines.
1. Read it 4 or 5 times over the course of a few days.
2. Read for 20 minutes or longer if your child is engaged in the story.
3. Read The Monkey Balloon daily or every other day.
Resource:
Trivette, Carol M., Andrew Simkus, Carl J. Dunst, and Deborah W. Homby. “Repeated Book Reading and Preschoolers’ Early Literacy Development.” Center for Early Literacy Learning 5 (2012): 1-13. Web. 4 Jan. 2015. <http://www.earlyliteracylearning.org/cellreviews/cellreviews_v5_n5.pdf>.
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