Reading Pictures

Question: What can young children reveal about their readiness for school from “reading” and interpreting pictures?

Answer/Quote: “Among the various learning skills that first graders bring with them into the classroom, the ability to interpret or ‘read a picture’ has been suggested as an indicator of school readiness. … Indeed, according to Monroe (1951, p. 75) ‘a child’s verbal interpretation of a picture gives the teacher the opportunity to observe several aspects of language in a single, very simple, informal test.’ Additionally, Porter (1968) recommends that teachers provide varied opportunities for reading and interpreting pictures in order to prepare children for the necessary visualizations required in reading.” P. 3.

Comment: Interesting idea. RayS.

Title: “Ability to ‘Read a Picture’ in Disadvantaged First Grade Children.” NC Aliotti. Reading Teacher (October 1970), 3-6.