By:Dana Fensterman, MA, CCC-SLP

Reading to your child is one of the most valuable ways to encourage language development! Here are some of our favorite shark themed books, as well as tips for how to incorporate language stimulation strategies into reading.

 

  • Our favorite shark themed books:

    • Gilbert the Great, by Jane Clark
    • Smiley Shark, by Ruth Galloway
    • The Three Little Fish and the Big Bad Shark, by Ken Geist
    • Shark vs. Train, by Chris Poston

 

Involve the child.

  • Let them choose which book they want to read.
  • Ask them to help turn the pages.

 

  • Make it exciting to keep the child engaged.

    • Use silly voices.

    • Incorporate songs.

    • Role play parts of the story.

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  • Discuss the pictures.

    • Ask them to find things. Ex. Can you find the shark? Where is the seashell? Show me the fish!
    • Ask what they see. Point to something in the picture and ask the child what it is.
    • Ask what colors they see. Ex. What color is the fish?
    • Ask them to count. Ex. How many seashells are there? Count the sharks with me!
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  • Read the same books multiple times.

    • Repetition can improve the child’s understanding of the story.
    • Reading and discussing the same book allows the child to learn the vocabulary within the book better.
    • Rereading books is valuable for emerging literacy skills.