Book Connections
Here's What To Do
1
While you’re reading books with your child, help them to make connections between the illustrations and their own experiences.
2
For example, if the character in the story likes to swim, ask your child if they like to swim.
3
Look for opportunities throughout the book for your child to see different kinds of connections – like where the character lives, or activities they like to do, or places they like to visit.
Put PEER Into Action
P
Pause:
- Select a book to read with your child and settle into a cozy place to get started.
E
Engage:
- “What are they doing in that picture? Have you ever done that?”
- “____ (character) felt ____. Did you feel the same or different?”
E
Encourage:
- Help your child to make connections with the illustrations and story by highlighting connections then asking follow-up questions.
- If your child is having trouble making connections, prompt them, such as: “You have a pet cat too! Do you brush your cat like they are doing in the picture?”
R
Reflect:
- “What else do you have in common with the character in this book?”
Not quite ready?
Highlight connections as you read. “Look, they are dancing. We like to dance too!”
Ready for more?
Encourage your child to make suggestions based on their own experiences. For example, “What do you think the character should do? What happened when you did that?”
As your child masters this skill...
They will make connections between images and stories in books and their own experiences.