Setting clear learning goals is important. Think about what you would like your child to learn from the experience. Here are some common and practical examples (Murphy, Pentimonti, & Chow, 2022):

• Letter and Sound Knowledge

You can point to a letter in the book, such as "f," and explain that the word "fun" starts with the /f/ sound. Then invite your child to point to the letter "f" and say the /f/ sound with you. You can also ask if they can find other words in the book that begin with the same sound.

• Vocabulary Building

Choose a few target words for your child to learn. For example, if the word "frustrated" appears in the story, you can point to the word and read it aloud. Explain it in a simple, child-friendly way, such as: "Feeling frustrated means you feel upset when something doesn't go the way you want." Then ask your child to repeat the word. Finally, invite them to share a time when they felt frustrated, helping them connect the new word to their own experiences.

• Language Understanding

After reading, you can ask your child simple questions about the story. This helps strengthen their understanding and memory.

• Understanding emotions

Encourage your child to act out different emotions—for example, showing what "angry" looks like with a frown or crossed arms. Then ask what might make them feel that way, and talk together about how to manage those feelings, such as taking deep breaths, counting to 10, or talking to an adult.

With these simple steps in place, you're ready to begin interactive shared reading! It's a fun and meaningful way to support your child's learning and emotional growth.

Reference

Murphy, K. A., Pentimonti, J. M., & Chow, J. C. (2023). Supporting children's language and literacy through collaborative shared book reading. Intervention in School and Clinic, 58(3), 155–163.