The importance of sensorial and spatial aspects in family reading at home: Insights from a national survey in Norway

Abstract

Purpose: The study investigated the relationships between spatial, multisensorial, and structural factors in family reading routines. Materials: 1001 survey responses and 926 open-ended answers of parents of 3- to 6-year-olds living in Norway, were analysed. Results: Parents who reported having a reading routine with their child valued more highly the spatial aspect of reading than parents who didn't have established reading routines at home and fathers valued the spatial aspect more than mothers. Highly educated parents valued more the visual sensorial aspect of the reading experience and described the book's visual appearance as salient for prompting reading conversations. The auditory aspects of reading were perceived negatively, while child's haptic engagement was rated as motivating for children's book interest. Conclusion: Parents have a hierarchical perception of the role of senses in children's reading and place a high value on the place where they read with their child. These aspects need to be integrated into future SBR studies and home interventions.

Keywords

• Shared book reading
• Families
• Senses
• Early literacy
• Multisensory