Child and maternal contributions to shared reading: Effects on language and literacy development
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Authors
Deborah F. Deckner
Lauren B. Adamson
Roger Bakeman
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Type
Journal Article, Academic Journal
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Abstract
Fifty-five children and their mothers were studied longitudinally from 18 to 42 months to determine the effects of home literacy
practices, children's interest in reading, and mothers' metalingual utterances during reading on children's expressive and receptive
language development, letter knowledge, and knowledge of print concepts. At 27 months, children's interest and the rate of
mothers' metalingual utterances during shared reading were assessed observationally, and mothers reported their home literacy
practices. Children's language development was assessed at 30 and 42 months, and their letter knowledge and knowledge of print
concepts were assessed at 42 months. Children's interest was strongly associated with the rate of mothers' metalingual utterances.
Home literacy practices, children's interest, and the rate of mothers' metalingual utterances all predicted expressive language
development. Home literacy practices predicted receptive language development, and children's interest predicted letter
knowledge. The relative contributions of children and mothers to shared reading are discussed.