"There are many ways to enlarge your world. Love of books is best of all."
-Jacqueline Kennedy
We love wordless picture books (or nearly wordless)! They are a surprising source to learn how to read. But how can something with no words help you learn to read? Keep reading to find out.
Wordless picture books are great for so many reasons. They emphasize art, provide important literacy skill building opportunities for young children like storytelling and context recognition development, and are a great source for imagination.
BENEFITS
Sharing wordless books is a terrific way to build important literacy skills, including listening skills, vocabulary, comprehension and an increased awareness of how stories are structured. Wordless books can also be used with struggling readers, wordless picture books become terrific springboards for talking about imagery, theme, and more. Explore these books with the young kids you know — and get ready for some creative storytelling!
GO ON A PICTURE BOOK WALK
A picture walk is not about reading the book. It’s talking about the pictures—getting to know the book together with your child.
What do you do?
Look at the cover.
Point to and say name of author and title.
Looking at the cover, ask your child what (s)he thinks the book will be about.
Without reading the words in the book, encourage your child to turn the pages one at a time.
Point to a picture and ask, what questions:
· What do you see on this page?
· What is happening?
· What is this picture telling you?
· What do you think will happen?
When you talk about the pictures:
· Take turns talking
· Introduce new words; explain what they mean
· Add a bit more information to what the child says
· Rephrase what your child says adding more words or ideas
· Help your child make connections to past experiences and future events. For example:
· When did you . . .
· How did you feel when . . .
· How would you feel if . . .
Here are some fun books to try this out with!
An unlikely pair learn that no act of kindness is ever wasted.
A little boy finds a book that he loves at the library.
by Molly Idle
Flora and her graceful flamingo friend explore the trials and joys of friendship through an elaborate synchronized dance.
Daisy is in anguish when her favorite ball is destroyed by a bigger dog.
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