How using school staff to teach parents book sharing skills, improves language skills in children.
Publications
How using school staff to teach parents book sharing skills, improves language skills in children.
Publications

How using school staff to teach parents book sharing skills, improves language skills in children.

Research Publication.

A recent study explored a new approach to improving young children’s language development through a program called “Books Together.” This school-based initiative aims to teach parents effective techniques for reading with their 3-5 year old children, with promising results. Here’s what the researchers found:

  1. Schools can successfully deliver the program: Four primary schools in North Wales participated, with teachers trained to guide parents through the 7-week course. This approach made it easier for busy families to attend.
  2. Parents were eager to participate: Schools reached out directly to families they thought could benefit most. This personal touch worked well, with 16 parents joining and sticking with the program.
  3. Children’s language skills improved: After completing Books Together, children showed gains in their vocabulary and ability to use more complex language.
  4. Parents felt more confident: The program boosted parents’ confidence in their ability to support their child’s learning. They also reported enjoying reading time more.
  5. Teachers saw positive changes: School staff noticed improvements in children’s language use and behavior in the classroom.

The study suggests that Books Together could be a valuable tool for schools looking to partner with parents in supporting early language development. By teaching simple techniques for interactive reading, the program helps create more engaging and beneficial story time experiences at home. While more research is needed to confirm the long-term impacts, this initial study shows promise for a relatively simple intervention that could make a big difference in children’s early learning and school readiness

The full article is available to read here: Frontiers | School-based delivery of a dialogic book sharing intervention: a feasibility study of Books Together (frontiersin.org)

Reference:

Williams M. E., Owen C., and Hutchings, J. (2024) School-based delivery of a dialogic book sharing intervention: a feasibility study of Books Together. Frontiers in Education, 9. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2024.1304386