Influence of a Shared Reading Workshop on Parent Attitudes Toward Shared Reading

Abstract

Parental use of strategies that increase positive interactions during shared reading has been found to positively correlate with both immediate and long-term effects on children’s reading development (Baker, 2003). Additionally, providing training to support parent confidence in shared reading strategies may positively impact their use of these strategies (eg., Pillinger & Wood, 2014). The current study explored the influence of a parent workshop designed to increase parent confidence in using of Shared Reading strategies. Although we found that parents did not change their attitudes towards core tenets of shared reading in relation to literacy development, internal consistency of the survey created for the study was good, and post-workshop ratings from parents suggested that exposure to research-based strategies for shared reading was helpful and supported them in feeling confident to use the strategies at home.