In addition to reading books to preschoolers while they listen, it is important to discuss the books with them. One program successfully taught child care providers and their parents a systematic way to discuss books.

This method employs (1) a way of interacting with preschoolers while discussing books--called the PEER sequence--and (2) five types of prompts to use during the interactions--called CROWD. The PEER sequence and the CROWD principles always operate within the larger principles of following the child's interests, expecting slightly more of the child each time through the book, and keeping interactions light and fun.

In the PEER sequence:

P Parent (or other adult) initiates an exchange about the book, and

E Evaluates the child's response,

E Expands the child's response, and

R Repeats the initial question to check that the child understands the new learning.

For example, reading A Mother for Choco: 0i

Adult: "What is Mrs. Bear doing?" (Wh-prompt. See below)

Child: "Standing on her toes."

Adult: "Yes, she's standing on her toes and picking apples." (Evaluates and expands)

Adult (Next time through the book): "What is Mrs. Bear doing? Do you remember? (Repeats question)

Child: "She's standing on her toes and picking apples."

Adult: "That's right, and she's putting them in her
basket." (Evaluates and expands)

The CROWD questions* include:

C Completion questions about the structure of
language used in the book, for example, "When Choco talked with the Penguin, he cried 'you have ______ (wings) just like me!'" The child fills in the blank.

R Recall questions relate to the story content of the book, for example, "Do you remember how this book ended for Choco?"

O Open-ended questions to increase the amount of talk about a book and to focus on the details of the book, for example, "What is happening on this page?"

W "Wh" questions to teach new vocabulary, for
example, "No matter where Choco searched, he couldn't find a mother who looked just like him. What is a 'search'?"

D Distancing questions that help the child bridge the material in the book to their real-life experiences, for example, "Does everyone in your family look the same? How do you think Choco felt about everyone in his family looking different?"

* The crowd questions are for older preschoolers. Use only "wh" questions and then open-ended questions for two-year-olds and early three-year-olds.