Preschool Storytime Using Dialogic Reading

Instead of simply reading a book aloud word-for-word, dialogic reading invites your child to actively participate in the story. You prompt them with questions, encourage them to describe what they see, and even guide them to predict what might happen next. The goal is that the child becomes the story teller and you as the parent are a facilitator; it encourages them to participate in the story rather than just listen.

Here’s an example: Imagine you’re reading Little Blue Truck. Instead of just reading the text, you might ask, “What animals do you see?”, “What animal says “moo?”, or “The truck is in the mud. Oh no, what happened?” Asking questions like this allow your child to engage more with the story and encourages opportunities for the to demonstrate their language output, the language they understand, and sets a foundation for important literacy skills.

The Benefits of Dialogic Reading

1. Boosts Vocabulary: By introducing new words and encouraging your child to describe pictures or events, dialogic reading helps expand their vocabulary in a natural and meaningful way.
2. Develops Critical Thinking: Predicting what happens next or explaining why characters act a certain way helps children develop problem-solving and reasoning skills.
3. Language Practice: Whether or not your child is in speech therapy for language learning, dialogic reading allows for time to practice language in a way that is more structured and provides the support of pictures to expand language.

Tips for Getting Started

• Choose the Right Books: Look for books with repetitive lines or themes, simple text, and engaging stories. Favorites like Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? or Where’s Spot? are great starting points.
• Reading the Same Stories: Children often love to repeat stories over and over. This can actually support their engagement and understanding of the story. It may allow them to participate more in telling the story or answering questions. 
• Don’t Worry About Reading: While it may seem counterintuitive, don’t worry about reading what’s written on the page. You can make up your own story to fit with your child’s language level or attention-span. Focus on asking questions that engage your child.
• Ask Open-Ended Questions: Encourage more than yes-or-no answers. Try asking, “What do you see on this page?” or “How do you think the character feels?”
• Be Patient and Positive: Celebrate your child’s efforts and let them take the lead. Remember, there’s no right or wrong answer.

Dialogic reading is a simple yet powerful tool that turns storytime into a rich learning experience. By making books interactive, you’re not just reading to your child—you’re helping them build essential language and literacy skills.