Shared reading practices between parents and young children with Down syndrome in Ireland

Abstract

Shared reading, a key component of the home literacy environment, has well documented potential for the development of emergent literacy skills. This study explored shared reading interactions between parents and their young children (aged one to six years) with Down syndrome in Ireland. 191 parents completed an online questionnaire, providing quantitative and qualitative data on their practices, experiences and views in relation to shared reading with their children. Findings indicate that the majority of parents engage their children in shared reading regularly and commence shared reading at an early age. Social/emotional factors and enjoyment, followed by speech and language development, were the primary factors motivating parents to engage their children in shared reading. There was evidence of parental use of oral language and print referencing strategies during shared reading. There was, however, potential for greater use of a wider range of strategies. Many parents also described challenges which affect engagement in shared reading. The majority of participating parents indicated that they would welcome additional guidance in relation to shared reading with their children. It is recommended that a parental education programme, providing parents of young children with Down syndrome with advice and guidance on shared reading be implemented.

Keywords:

• Down syndrome
• shared reading
• emergent literacy skills
• home literacy environment
• additional educational needs

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Notes on contributors

Sinead Lusby is a primary school teacher in Scoil Caitriona Junior in Galway with 23 years teaching experience in mainstream, learning support, resource and EAL. She completed her Postgraduate Diploma in Special Educational Needs and her Master of Education at NUI Galway.

Manuela Heinz is a lecturer and the Director of the Professional Master of Education at the National University of Ireland Galway.

ORCID

Manuela Heinz http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3542-8931

Notes

1 In Ireland, services for children with disabilities are provided by Health Service Executive (HSE) ‘Early Intervention Services’ from birth to the age of six years. Early Intervention teams comprise of professionals including speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and psychologists. Services vary greatly countrywide and many teams work with limited resources and personnel.

2 Lámh is a sign language system for individuals with intellectual disabilities in Ireland (Lámh 2017).