{"id":33100,"date":"2024-10-25T13:22:16","date_gmt":"2024-10-25T21:22:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/?p=33100"},"modified":"2025-07-16T07:20:29","modified_gmt":"2025-07-16T15:20:29","slug":"shared-reading","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/advice\/shared-reading\/33100","title":{"rendered":"The Power of Shared Reading – Simple Tips and Tricks"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The Power of Shared Reading<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Learn how shared reading can boost your child’s literacy skills at home in just four simple steps. <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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By Jill Staake<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reviewed by Dr. Stanley Diih<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Table of Contents<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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What is Shared Reading? <\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Use Shared Reading with Your Child<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shared Reading FAQ<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Children learn to read in a variety of ways and interactive approaches can be especially helpful. Shared reading is a highly effective interactive approach to reading where students and a teacher read a text collaboratively. Here\u2019s how and why it works, plus tips and ideas for trying it with your child. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is Shared Reading?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In a shared reading session, a teacher reads a text together with students, guiding the process while actively engaging them throughout.<\/strong> Teachers will use tools such as oversized books, document cameras, or eBooks on a projector so students can see the words and\/or pages at all times.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The teacher begins the read aloud, modeling fluent behavior like pacing and expression. They stop and demonstrate concepts like decoding a word<\/span><\/a>, using context to determine meaning, or to ask students a comprehension question. Students are also asked to read aloud, often in unison (choral reading). The entire experience is collaborative, with teachers and students both active participants in the reading and discussion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While shared reading often takes place in group settings such as classrooms, it can also be a one-on-one activity, used by reading tutors or parents as they help their child develop literacy skills<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The shared reading strategy was pioneered in the 1970s by Don Holdaway, a New Zealand educator and researcher. He was looking for a way to recreate the personal dialogue of a home reading experience in a classroom setting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How to Use Shared Reading with Your Child  <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re ready to turn story time into shared reading time, try these helpful strategies and tips. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Choose the Right Text <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The best texts for shared reading fall into what\u2019s known as the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD). This term describes the gap between what kids can do on their own and what they\u2019re capable of doing with some guidance. The best shared reading books are a little more challenging than your child\u2019s current reading level<\/strong>, offering you the chance to guide them as they tackle unfamiliar words or concepts. Some publishers offer books specifically for shared reading. Your child\u2019s teacher may be able to make recommendations of good texts too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Tip:<\/strong> ABCmouse includes an expansive digital library<\/span><\/a> featuring hundreds of books at every reading level. While children can listen to and follow along with many of the books, they can also enjoy books with an adult and pause them as needed to allow for questions and discussions.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2. Examine the Book Together <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Before you begin, look over the book together to note the title, author, illustrator, subject, and other print awareness features. (Find out more about print awareness here<\/span><\/a>.) Ask your child to predict what will happen in the text based on things like the title or illustrations. If it\u2019s a nonfiction text, ask what they already know about the topic and hope to learn. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Read the Text Together <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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In a group setting, teachers often do most of the reading, asking students to join in by reading in unison. In smaller groups, they may give individual readers a chance to read aloud as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you\u2019re working at home with your child, shared reading can become a cooperative process<\/strong>, since you\u2019re in a more personal setting. Take turns reading aloud with your child, modeling fluency and helping them with challenging passages. You can also read together in unison, or you can read a sentence or passage and have your child repeat it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s what it looks like when each participant reads aloud: <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Parent Reads Aloud<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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