Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments (AEPA) Early Childhood Education Practice Test

Why is it important for beginning readers to engage in many shared reading experiences?

1. It reduces their interest in independent reading

2. It promotes comprehension and fluency through modeled reading

3. It focuses solely on increasing sight vocabulary

4. It decreases the importance of phonics instruction

The correct answer is: It promotes comprehension and fluency through modeled reading

Beginning readers benefit significantly from engaging in many shared reading experiences, as these opportunities promote comprehension and fluency through modeled reading. Shared reading allows instructors to demonstrate reading strategies and behaviors that effective readers employ, such as tracking words on the page, using expression, and making predictions about text. This modeling is crucial for young readers as they learn to associate sounds with letters, understand narrative structures, and grasp the meaning behind the words. In these shared experiences, teachers can also facilitate discussions about the text, ask open-ended questions, and encourage children to make connections to their own experiences, all of which deepen understanding and engagement with the material. This collaborative approach fosters an environment where children feel safe to ask questions and express their thoughts, further enhancing their comprehension skills. As they observe the fluent reading of their teachers, they develop their own reading fluency over time, making shared reading a foundational practice for fostering literacy skills in early learners.