Tellusbarn was nominated for an award at an international research conference

Published: October 30, 2024

  

Activities

Tellusbarn ’s research-based work on children’s language development was nominated for an international research award. Dialogic Book Reading (DBR) is an educational method that has successfully implemented since 2017. This research-based method, developed in the United States, aims to promote children’s language development and expand their vocabulary through an interactive and engaging reading experience. By making children active participants in the story rather than passive listeners, DBR creates a dynamic learning environment where language development takes center stage.

At Tellusbarn , language development is a priority, and the DBR method has become a key tool for supporting this goal. The educators at Tellusbarn’s preschools carefully plan reading sessions, select appropriate books, and prepare questions that encourage the children to reflect on the content, ask questions, and relate it to their own experiences. Through this process, children have the opportunity to explore the book on a deeper level, which stimulates both their language and cognitive abilities.

“I’ve gained more knowledge about how to work with the children at preschool to support their language development. I also use these methods and strategies in other situations. I make the most of every opportunity to help the children develop their language skills.”

Research has shown that DBR not only improves children’s vocabulary but also their ability to understand and use complex sentence structures. At Tellusbarn’s preschools, the method has proven particularly effective for children with language vulnerabilities, such as those whose native language is not Swedish. By providing rich and interactive language stimulation, DBR helps these children develop their language skills, giving them a stronger foundation for future academic success.

The work with DBR has also had a positive impact on the children’s motivation and participation during reading sessions. Children who previously had difficulty concentrating during read-aloud sessions have become more engaged and verbally active. The method has helped boost their confidence in their own abilities and developed important social skills, such as taking turns and collaborating with peers. The method has also provided educators with a clear goal for how reading books can be used as a tool to monitor and support children’s language development over time.

Tellusbarn has invested in training its educators to ensure that the DBR method is applied effectively in all preschools. Through ongoing professional development, we have created a strong pedagogical framework that makes it possible to track children’s language development over time. The training initiative has been very successful, and educators report that they now have better tools to support children’s language development not only during storytime but also in other everyday situations.

The implementation of Dialogic Book Reading at Tellusbarn’s preschools has led to significant progress in children’s language development and increased their engagement in reading. The method has not only improved the children’s language skills but also raised the quality of language instruction, making DBR a valuable part of Tellusbarn’s educational work.

Tellusbarn Tellusbarn’s work with DBR has also garnered international attention. In the fall of 2023, “
”—our joint research project with Stockholm University—reached a milestone when it was nominated as one of the top three projects at the Eapril conference in Dublin. Camilla
Suarez, a special education teacher and the driving force behind the DBR work, represented the project at the conference and presented the project’s
successes to a global audience.

– This nomination shows that Tellusbarn is at the
forefront of innovative language development methods
for preschool children. It is clear evidence
of how the work with DBR has not only transformed
children’s language development here in Sweden, but has also
captured international interest. “We are proud
that DBR has become a powerful tool that
both strengthens children’s language skills and develops educators’
teaching methods,” says Camilla
Suarez, a special education teacher at Tellusbarn.