(Adams, 2000)

Author's Profile

My name is Jennifer Bernard

I am a special needs preschool teacher at the Roland Green Preschool in Mansfield, MA

 I teach 34 three, four and five year old children.  My students come to me with a large range of skills including the ability to walk with a walker, communicate with sign language, sit with a body brace or use pictures to organize their day.  My classes are integrated and many of my peer models are learning their alphabet, writing their names and just beginning understand the 'code' of print.

During our 21/2 hours together, we fit in as much learning as possible.  My main concern for all children is to develop their language skills.  To this end, I feel the most important activity in the preschool classroom is reading.  We try to read in large groups as well as small and individual.  I have a variety of books available that hopefully meets the interests and skills of our many children.  I am blessed with two wonderful assistants who guide the children to attend to the reading activity.  They are equally comfortable in grabbing a book and reading to a child whenever asked.

I had hoped to complete this action research to identify which style of reading aloud is most beneficial in the development of language.  I learned much along the way, many of it things not to do in regards to research, as well as selecting books for such a diverse audience.  I hope this project is of interest and useful to you in your work with young children and their journey to becoming readers!