Children Simultaneously Learn Multiple Dimensions of Information during Shared Book Reading

Elise Breitfeld, Christine E. Potter, Casey Lew-Williams

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

Picture books inherently contain many parallel dimensions of information and serve as a rich source of input for children. However, studies of children’s learning from picture books tend to focus on a single type of information (e.g., novel words). To better understand the learning-related potential of shared book reading, we examined 4.5- to 5.5-year-old children’s simultaneous learning of novel words, moral lessons, and story details from a reading interaction with a parent. Results showed that children successfully learned new words, extracted a moral lesson, and recalled story details from the picture book. Contrary to expectations, children’s learning was equally strong regardless of whether or not parents were prompted to focus on learning as the key purpose of book reading. This research demonstrates that children learn diverse information presented across different time scales from picture books.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)744-766
Number of pages23
JournalJournal of Cognition and Development
Volume22
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 2021

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health
  • Developmental and Educational Psychology

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