Opportunities for Word Learning in Preschool Storybook Apps (Poster 16)

• In Event: AERA Poster Session Six
  In Poster Session: Literacy Poster Session Two

Abstract

This study examines 26,744 words in 70 best-selling preschool storybook apps to understand (a) the degree to which preschool storybook apps introduce new vocabulary words to children ages 3-5; (b) the types of words children can learn from these texts; and (c) the degree to which interactive features in storybook apps highlight new words. Findings suggest that preschool storybook apps are ripe with word learning opportunities. Furthermore, these texts introduce young children to new words across all parts of speech, words that children are unlikely to encounter in their daily environment, and words at varying levels of difficulty. The results of this study contribute to the field’s understanding of preschool digital texts and their affordances for young children’s vocabulary development.

Author

• Lori Bruner, University of Alabama
  Presenting Author