EFFECTS OF BOOK GENRE ON PRESCHOOLERS’ ACQUISITION OF TARGETED VOCABULARY DURING CLASSROOM READ-ALOUDS

Abstract

Current research supports the effectiveness of embedding explicit vocabulary instruction within the preschool classroom read-aloud. However, much of the book reading research has made use of story books rather than informational text. This study was conducted to understand the outcomes of using informational books to teach targeted vocabulary to preschool children during book reading. A quasi-experimental design was used to investigate the effects of two read-aloud strategies, using informational books, on preschoolers’ acquisition of novel vocabulary words. The results revealed statistically significant differences in the amount of words learned during the read aloud of an informational book in which vocabulary instruction was embedded. As a result of participating in vocabulary instruction embedded within an informational book read-aloud, preschoolers were able to learn the targeted words. Results indicate the effectiveness of teachers using an interactive approach with informational books when planning read-alouds to support vocabulary development.