How To Build Connections In Read Alouds To Boost Literacy

Posted on Kid Lit Works Website October 1, 2024 by Christina Shawn

We know literacy begins early. But what is it about sharing a picture book with children that helps them become readers?

Studies show that reading to children paves neurological pathways for language and literacy. So, literacy begins before speaking, and way before phonics, with a familiarity of books and a love for stories.

As a preschool literacy coach for teachers in Head Start and VPI (Virginia Preschool Initiative) classrooms, one of my favorite growth areas is using picture books to build literacy skills. Reading picture books aloud to children has many benefits. Read Alouds help children learn that pictures and words are symbols that can be interpreted, expose children to new words, and familiarize them with the conventions of print –NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children).

Whether we are snuggling one child on our lap or reading to an auditorium of students, there are ways to transform our read alouds into a foundation for literacy.

One way is with questions.

“Answering open-ended questions and having conversations about books improve children’s listening and speaking skills, deepen their comprehension, encourage higher-level thinking, and develop their vocabulary. Children’s answers to questions offer an opportunity for you to check their understanding.” – Children’s Literacy Initiative

Here are some easy ways to enhance a read aloud with questions to create a literacy rich experience.

BEFORE: Before even opening the book, we can build a connection.

Let’s use PEACHES by Gabriele Davis and Kim Holt as an example. Point out the cover art, read the title, author, illustrator.

Ask: What do you think this book will be about?

For a younger crowd, you can even throw in some Concept of Word and Phonics questions:

How many words are in the title?
What letter is that? Yes a P.
What sound does it make?
P-P-Peaches

Here is your opportunity to highlight parts of the book, spine, title page, dedication, undies (an image on the book cover that differs from the image on the book jacket cover).

Next, ask questions to create connections:

Have you ever tried a peach? What does it taste like?
What do you think they are doing in this picture?
Have you ever made a pie before?
Do you like to bake?
Who do you bake with?
What kinds of things do you make?

Ask for predictions.

Clarify vocabulary words they may not yet know.
Establish expectations for their participation. (Should they say a refrain with you? Rub their bellies when you read a certain word? Look for a hidden illustration?)

We haven’t even opened the book and we have fired up their reading brains.

DURING: Inside the book, we have more opportunities for questions and connections.

What is happening here?
What are you wondering?
Raise your hand if you have ever picked fruit from an orchard like this.
How do you think the character feels? How can you tell?
What did they make?
What do you think will happen next?
Raise your hand if this is making you hungry!

But beware: asking kids to share about themselves while in the middle of the book will likely derail the story…pace yourself so your questions don’t interrupt the flow.

AFTER: At the end of the book, we can revisit those personal connections.

Did you like this book? Why or why not?
How did it make you feel?
What did the main character do when she was frustrated?
Has there ever been a time that you wanted to give up but kept going?

Look! There’s a recipe in the back for peach cobbler. Who wants to make this at home?
What other things do you want to make?
Who will you cook or bake with?

This is also a time for you to share your connections.

For example: I would share that when I was little, I went strawberry picking with my grandma and we made strawberry jelly. Now I make it with my kids and I always think of her.

Intentional Read Alouds are fun and interactive. They connect you to your audience and your audience to the book. And these connections equip children with some of the most fundamental literacy skills they need to become lifelong readers.

Below are a few more titles to think about.
What questions could you ask based on the covers of these books?

Kidlit Works invites you to check out our group’s recently published read alouds (shown above). Ask for them at your local libraries. These stories are crafted with heart and sure to bring lively open-ended engagements into your classrooms and homes. Thank you so much for visiting us!

Christina Shawn is an author, reading specialist, literacy coach, and mom. She is curious about the world around her and probably asks too many questions. But her favorite answers come from the minds of budding new readers and imaginative kids feeling their way through the world.

Stay tuned for Christina’s upcoming book:

AND THEN CAME YOU (Chronicle Books, Spring 2025) illustrated by Shahrzad Maydani

https://www.christinashawn.com/
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