Why Shared Book Reading Matters at Chatham Nursery School
You might be wondering why we place such an emphasis on shared book reading when the children in our nursery are not yet able to read the words themselves. Wouldn’t chatting or playing be more important at this stage?
Of course, story time is already a much-loved part of the day for both staff and children. It helps create a sense of community, belonging, and wellbeing. But beyond that, research shows that shared book reading is one of the most powerful ways to support young children’s language development. Why? Because it does two key things:
- It encourages children to talk.
- It helps enrich their vocabulary more than everyday conversation.
Shared Books Encourage Children to Speak
Reading together isn’t just about saying the words on the page. It’s about creating an interactive experience where children can:
- Talk about the pictures
- Point to things they notice
- Ask and answer questions
- Turn the pages
- Make comments and share ideas
- Hear what others have to say
- Connect the story to their own lives
- Join in with actions and songs
- Revisit favourite stories again and again
Instead of sitting quietly and listening, children should be actively involved. The more they join in and speak, the better! This is especially important for children who are quieter or have a smaller vocabulary, as they are the ones who benefit most from these opportunities.
Shared reading gives children a safe, supportive space to practise speaking with an adult who can gently expand or correct what they say. It’s a fun, informal way to build confidence and language skills.
Books Offer Richer Language Than Everyday Speech
The language in books is often more varied and complex than what children hear in daily conversation. By sharing stories, we expose them to new words and ideas beyond their everyday experiences.
Books for young children often repeat key words and phrases, which helps them learn and remember new vocabulary. Pictures provide clues to meaning, and repeated readings reinforce understanding. Research shows that children learn and retain more words when books are read multiple times—so don’t hesitate to revisit favourites!
Shared book reading improves both the quantity of words children learn and the quality of their language development. It’s a cornerstone of preparing them for school and for learning to read. Plus, it fosters a lifelong love of books and stories.
At Chatham Nursery School, we want our children to talk lots! Regular shared reading is one of the best ways to make that happen.
You can find more information here:
https://www.pacer.org/parent/php/PHP-c213.pdf
Family Book Club
Family book club runs throughout the year in blocks of 4 weeks. Families are welcomed in after school to join in activities based around a book of theme. We share a snack and the children get to take home a book at the end of the block.
Some feedback from families:
“The kids get so excited each week to find out out which book we will be reading and guessing what lovely activities will be included. It has quickly become a family favourite for myself, my daughter and her younger brother too.”
“Book club has been a lovely experience for my child, and for me seeing her in her school environment and how well she’s getting on. The teacher goes out of her way to make it a great experience.”
