Presentation Schedule
Reading Together Across Languages: A Picture Book-Sharing Intervention to Support Young Children’s Early Literacy (113645)
Friday, 13 November 2026 16:40
Session: Poster Session
Room: Hall G (Level -2)
Presentation Type: Poster Presentation
Shared book reading provides valuable opportunities to support young children's language and early literacy development while strengthening parent–child interactions. This presentation describes a picture-book-sharing intervention designed to encourage Emirati fathers to read with their four- and five-year-old kindergarten children at home, in both Arabic and English. The intervention highlights the importance of interactive shared book reading in fostering children's language and literacy development within the UAE's multilingual context. Drawing on fathers' accounts of their shared reading experiences and observations of their children's responses, the presentation examines how fathers engaged in home-based shared book reading and the language and literacy practices they employed during these interactions. It also outlines criteria for selecting culturally and linguistically accessible picture books that facilitate meaningful shared reading experiences for young children in the UAE. By highlighting the role of fathers in family literacy, the presentation offers practical guidance for parents, educators, and early childhood practitioners on selecting appropriate picture books and fostering rich home literacy experiences that support children's language development, early literacy, and enjoyment of books.
Authors:
Sumaya Saqr, Emirates College for Advanced Education, United Arab Emirates
See this presentation on the full schedule – Friday Schedule
