When your child talks about the book, language takes off
Children who answer and talk during story time can jump months ahead in language, in just weeks.
What they did
Researchers at Stony Brook University taught parents of 2- and 3-year-olds a way of reading called “dialogic reading.” Instead of just reading the words, parents asked open questions, followed their child’s answers, and let the child do more of the talking. Other parents read to their children the usual way.
What they found
After only a few weeks, children whose parents used dialogic reading were several months ahead in language development compared with children who were read to the usual way. The researchers later found similar effects with hundreds of children.
What it means for your child
The Needs Help! books are built for this kind of reading. Your child doesn’t just listen. They choose, explain, and talk, and you follow their lead.
How Professor ANT books use this
Professor ANT books are written for this kind of reading. The Needs Help! books ask your child to choose and explain, so they do most of the talking. Does Your Nose Smell? asks questions your child can answer, test on their own nose, and argue about, before the book gives clues.
Related: Back-and-forth talk builds young brains →
Source: Whitehurst, G. J., Falco, F. L., Lonigan, C. J., Fischel, J. E., DeBaryshe, B. D., Valdez-Menchaca, M. C., & Caulfield, M. (1988). Accelerating language development through picture book reading. Developmental Psychology, 24(4), 552–559. Original article
Summary written by Discovering Awareness. The study did not test Professor ANT books; it supports the method behind them.
