Dialogic Reading and Interactive Read Alouds

Dialogic reading is an evidence-based approach to interactive read-alouds that actively engages children in conversation about a text. Rather than serving as passive listeners, children become storytellers, answer questions, make predictions, and connect ideas to their own experiences. Research has shown that dialogic reading can significantly improve children’s oral language, vocabulary, narrative skills, and later reading achievement. Two commonly used frameworks support this practice: The PEER sequence (Prompt, Evaluate, Expand, Repeat) provides a structure for extending children’s responses, while the CROWD framework (Completion, Recall, Open-ended, Wh- questions, and Distancing) offers a variety of ways to encourage rich discussion. Together, these routines help educators and families transform read-alouds into powerful opportunities for language and literacy development.