Reading Picture Books and Learning Science: Engaging Young Children With Informational Text

The authors draw from the research literature and from their work with the Scientific Literacy Project (SLP) in kindergarten classrooms to address the inclusion of science picture books in the curriculum. They describe features and functions of informational texts, discuss teachers' common concerns about providing young children with experiences to engage with informational science texts, and present evidence that addresses these concerns. They show how teacher support and guidance encourage classroom dialogue and facilitate children's cognitive and affective engagement with both literacy and science.