June 2, 2024
Picture the scene….preschool children engaged in before reading activities that build background knowledge to boost learning during reading a predictable book.
Why are predictable books important? Predictable books encourage a high level of participation with repetitive texts and focus on pre-reading skills. “Predictable books allow early readers to predict what the sentences are going to say, thereby increasing enjoyment and helping build vocabulary and memory skills.” (Prath & Palafox, p. 150). Predictable books offer a concrete learning framework that supports literacy-based instruction which includes:
Before reading activities to build background information
During reading activities to encourage interaction and participation
After reading activities to synthesize and expand knowledge
Let’s explore an example of using the predictable book Thank you Omu! by Oge Mora in this framework. What makes Thank you Omu! a predictable book is the use of a pattern story focusing on a repeated scene with variation.
Thank you Omu! is the story of a Nigerian grandmother who makes a classic red stew and shares her stew with a variety of people in her community. To help build background knowledge (before reading), using a visual aid children are exposed to what red stew is. Children are asked questions about what kinds of stew they may eat at home. The children learn how stew varies in different cultures and are shown a picture of where Nigeria is located.
Following the discussion, the children pretend to make red stew with a real pot and spoon while putting pretend ingredients into the pot and singing a song. For children who may be working on expanding sentence length or require the use of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), sentence strips can be added.
During reading, Thank you Omu lends itself to asking for predictions of which character in the story will come to Omu’s apartment for some red stew.
After reading, giving thanks related to the book is discussed and a piggyback song like “If you’re happy and you know it” is sung by replacing the words to “Child’s name gives thanks for her friends, Child’s name gives thanks for her friends, Child’s name gives thanks, Child’s gives thanks, Child’s name gives thanks for her friends.”
In conclusion, the before, during and after reading framework using predictable books gives children the building blocks to grow their background knowledge, learn new vocabulary and increase overall learning. It also fosters a love of reading!
Want to learn more? Consult with a speech-language pathologist! Go to Book Now to schedule a Meet and Greet or email me. If not, here are some additional resources to help build your knowledge to assist in guiding your child’s language and literacy learning.
Resources
References
Brea-Spahn, M. R. (2018). Language development and disorders in school-age children [Powerpoint Slides].
Little Hands (2013). Time to cook. Centreville, VA: Little Hands
Prath, S. & Palafox, P. (2017). Literacy-based speech and language therapy activities: Successfully use storybooks to reduce planning time, easily work in groups, and target multiple communication and academic goals. Bilinguistics Inc.