Families Reading Together: Connecting Literature and Life

Abstract

The purposes of this qualitative study were to investigate the ways children's books were shared in the context of daily family life and how young children responded to books. Participants were 11 families and 12 children, age 14 months to 5 and a half years. Data collection included parent reading journals and interviews. Families were asked to maintain their customary reading routines and to record book titles, dates of reading, children's verbal responses to books, and book-related activities. Analysis of the data revealed that multiple books were shared regularly on a daily basis, particularly at naptime and bedtime, to entertain, explain events, and extend enjoyment. Children's responses to books fell into the following categories: literary language, concept acquisition, book-related dramatic play, affective associations, and book-related activities.