An “Interactive Book Reading” event was held within the scope of the University Culture Course at Üsküdar Üniversitesi. In the event where Literacy Expert Dr. Aylin Yılmaz Hiğde was a speaker, Hiğde offered several suggestions. Highlighting that a comfortable seating area for children should be prepared before starting to read, Hiğde stated that instruments like drums, glasses, hats... could also be used to facilitate listening. Hiğde added that after reading, parents should allow children to act out the story, and be given the opportunity to draw or depict what was read.
“To read an interactive book to children, the book should be read by an adult beforehand”
In the event moderated by Lecturer Ezgi Erciha from Üsküdar Üniversitesi Vocational School of Health Services, Child Development Department, literacy expert Dr. Aylin Yılmaz Hiğde listed recommendations on how to perform interactive book reading most effectively. Hiğde said, “First, planning needs to be done. If you want to read an interactive book, the book should be read by an adult beforehand. Books should be ones an adult can read in a maximum of five minutes. Before starting to read, a comfortable place for children to sit should be prepared, and a spot where all children can see you and the materials you will use should be determined. A story that describes the theme and topic of the week should be read to the children. To encourage children to listen to the story, a drum, glasses, a hat, or a song can help your storytelling process. Discuss the book page with the child, take a picture walk through the book. Ask students thought-provoking questions. Let them guess what the story is about. Gestures and facial expressions are also effective. Asking the question ‘What do you think will happen next in the story?’ develops children's prediction skills.”
“Allow children to develop their own books”
Speaking about the post-reading activities and their outcomes, Hiğde said; “Adults should allow children to act out the story after reading. They should be given the opportunity to draw or depict something about the story. They should be given time to expand the story, and new words should be used to create a rich learning environment. Children should be given the opportunity to develop their own books. These are important and interactive processes. Early exposure to reading definitely has results. Gross motor and fine motor skills, perceptual skills; visual-auditory discrimination and memory, and pre-reading skills develop. Thus, reading becomes enjoyable for children.”