Reading from Realistic Picture-Books Speeds Toddler Learning

A study by University of Queensland and University of Virginia researchers shows that reading to toddlers from books with high iconicity, or images resembling those of real life, helps them learn about the world around them faster.

One hundred thirty-two children aged 18, 24, and 30 months were read to from one of two books with identical texts describing a child constructing a simple rattle. The first contained six full-color photographs of a rattle while the second contained colored pencil reproductions of the same images. The children were then given materials to construct the same rattle.

Many of the children were able to perform the task, showing that even young toddlers are able to learn new actions from these reading sessions. However, the 18-month-old toddlers had less success when they were shown colored pencil drawings instead of photographs, causing researchers to repeat the experiment with new 24- and 30-month-old children, this time using black and white drawings instead of color drawings.

These children likewise performed poorly when shown the black and white reproductions, suggesting that children's learning is highly influenced by the iconicity of the images they view while reading.

FULL TEXT: Get the Picture? The Effects of Iconicity on Toddlers' Reenactment From Picture Books