Ask Questions About Print

This is like talking about print, except that you can ask a few questions about the print or the way it works, and give the child the answers. This helps to focus attention on the print, and also helps children figure out why it is there and how it is used.

Say things like:

• What do you think this word says? (point to an important or easy word)
• Where should I start to read on this page?
• Now where should I read? (If the child points to a picture, you can point to where you are starting and say “I’m going to read here now”)
• Why are there words next to the turtle? (because he is talking)

Suggested Book: Spot Goes to the Park (Eric Hill)
Reason for Book Choice: This book has large bold print and print in the pictures when animals are talking to help the child notice the print. It also has fun Lift –the-flap style to make it more fun.

*Excerpted from Development of Emergent Literacy in English Language Learning Children Through Parent Shared Reading by Tanya L. Wren, Pathways Children Centre, Windsor, Ontario and Genese Warr-Leeper , University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario.

*Warr-Leeper, G., Wren, T., & K. Washington (2006). Facilitating emergent literacy skills in English language learners: The value of team work and collaboration. OSLA Connection Journal, 2(2), 12-16.