2-204 - Variations in Parent-Child Book-Sharing Practices at Home and their Relations to Child Outcomes

Session Type: Paper Symposium

Integrative Statement

It is well established that books-sharing at home is a privileged context to foster children’s language and literacy skills (Bus et al., 1995). The way parents share books with their children varies significantly across and within socio-cultural communities. Yet, the literature lacks a focus on seeing book-sharing as socio-culturally specific (Rogoff, 2003). This symposium discusses three studies investigating parent-child book-sharing practices in various ages (toddlers, preschoolers) and socio-cultural/economic backgrounds.

Paper 1 investigated parent-child book-sharing practices in immigrant families in Norway (Polish, Somali, Turkish, Pakistani) and its relation to children’s vocabulary and narrative skills. Across socio-cultural groups, children whose parents asked more questions to their preschoolers during book-sharing had larger vocabulary and narrative skills. Paper 2 examined mother-toddler book-sharing practices in three countries (U.S., Germany, India) and its relation to culture, socialization goals and child narrative contributions. Two book-sharing styles were identified that differed depending on the socio-cultural background and mothers’ socialization goals. Book-sharing styles were also related to the amount and type of children’s narrative contributions. Paper 3 investigated parents’ uptake of a program aimed at promoting book-sharing activities at home with children with language impairments. Families were from diverse ethnic/socioeconomic backgrounds in the U.S. Only half of the parents completed the program and completion rate related to children’s literacy, socioeconomic status and home resources.

Together these papers highlight the importance of understanding the various ways in which parents share books with their children to inform the design and implementation of book-reading interventions in specific communities.

Sub Unit

• Language, Communication

Chair

• Diana Leyva, Davidson College

Discussant

• Meredith Rowe, Harvard University

Individual Presentations

• Parent-Child Book-Sharing Practices in Immigrant Families in Norway - Presenting Author: Veslemøy Rydland, University of Oslo; Non-Presenting Author: Vibeke Grøver, University of Oslo

• Mother-Toddler Book-Sharing Practices in the U.S., Germany and India - Presenting Author: Diana Leyva, Davidson College; Non-Presenting Author: Antje von Suchodoletz, New York University Abu Dhabi; Non-Presenting Author: Anna-lena Hinojo, University of Muenster; Non-Presenting Author: Delshad Shroff, Boston Children’s Hospital; Non-Presenting Author: Elena Doering, New York University Abu Dhabi; Non-Presenting Author: Joscha Kärtner, University of Münster

• Can a Home-Based Intervention Program Support Parents’ Engagement in Book-Sharing Practices with their Children? - Presenting Author: Laura Justice, The Ohio State University; Non-Presenting Author: Jessica Logan, The Ohio State University; Non-Presenting Author: Jing Chen, The Ohio State University; Non-Presenting Author: Sherine Tambyraja, The Ohio State University