Books and Facts
Here's What To Do
Select a nonfiction book to read with your child or children about a topic they’re interested in; for example, select a nonfiction book about transportation, gardening, insects, or animals
Explain that nonfiction books are about real topics and they are different from fiction books because they are about imaginary topics; you can also add that people read nonfiction books for information and learning
Provide your child or children with a safe prop that represents a topic in the book; for example, if the book is about gardening show them a pack of seeds and explain what it’s for and how it’s used
Hold the prop while reading the book. Look for clues in the text to make connections and spark conversation
Put PEER Into Action
Pause:
- Begin this activity by giving your child the prop first; observe and examine it together
Engage:
- "Let's read this book about firefighters. This is a nonfiction book, which means it's facts about firefighters and it will help us learn."
- "Look at your fire truck toy. Is it the same or different from fire trucks we saw in the firefighter book?"
Encourage:
- Ask your child to talk about where and/or when they have seen real-life examples of the topics in the book
- Ask your child to think of and gather other props related to the book’s topic
Reflect:
- Ask your child, how is this nonfiction book different from fiction stories we have read?
Not quite ready?
Choose simple non-fiction books with real-life photographs.
Ready for more?
Take your child or children to a place or event where they can see the non-fiction topic in action.
As your child masters this skill...
They will be able to distinguish the difference between nonfiction and fiction books.