Using Dialogic Reading and Direct Instruction of Emotion Words to Increase Emotion Vocabulary Knowledge in the Preschool Classroom

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Using Dialogic Reading and Direct Instruction of Emotion Words to Increase Emotion Vocabulary Knowledge in the Preschool Classroom
Language: English
Authors: Ann-Marie Kogan (ORCID 0009-0007-3997-2439)
Source: Journal of Research in Innovative Teaching & Learning. 2026 19(1):89-101.
Availability: Emerald Publishing Limited. Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1WA, UK. Tel: +44-1274-777700; Fax: +44-1274-785201; e-mail: emerald@emeraldinsight.com; Web site: http://www.emerald.com/insight
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 13
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Early Childhood Education
Descriptors: Preschool Children, Early Childhood Education, Social Emotional Learning, Intervention, Vocabulary, Psychological Patterns, Receptive Language, Expressive Language, Reading Aloud to Others, Self Management, Picture Books, Intelligence Tests, Verbal Ability
Geographic Terms: Illinois (Chicago)
Assessment and Survey Identifiers: Expressive One Word Picture Vocabulary Test, Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test
DOI: 10.1108/JRIT-12-2023-0192
ISSN: 1947-1017
Abstract: Purpose: This research addresses a need in early childhood education for evidence-based teaching strategies that build emotional self-regulation skills in young children. The intervention assessed in this study focused on increasing the emotion vocabulary of preschool-aged students. Design/methodology/approach: This mixed-methods, quasi-experimental study evaluated the impact a dialogic reading approach combined with direct instruction of emotion words during a shared book-reading activity had on students' emotion vocabulary knowledge. The study was conducted in a licensed daycare center in a suburb of Chicago, Illinois, with ten four- and five-year-old students. Pre- and post-session surveys assessed the intervention's impact on the students' receptive and expressive vocabulary knowledge, and observation notes captured the students' responses to the intervention activities. Findings: The results showed significant increases with small to medium effect sizes between the students' pre- and post-session survey scores for both receptive and expressive emotion vocabulary knowledge, a strong positive correlation between the level of student engagement during the intervention and their emotion vocabulary assessment scores, and the impact other variables had on the intervention's effectiveness. Practical implications This research provides information on a culturally adaptable and quickly learned teaching strategy that could be used to build emotional self-regulation skills in the early childhood classroom. Originality/value: This research uniquely applies this intervention as a universal strategy with preschool-aged children.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1507958
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:Purpose: This research addresses a need in early childhood education for evidence-based teaching strategies that build emotional self-regulation skills in young children. The intervention assessed in this study focused on increasing the emotion vocabulary of preschool-aged students. Design/methodology/approach: This mixed-methods, quasi-experimental study evaluated the impact a dialogic reading approach combined with direct instruction of emotion words during a shared book-reading activity had on students' emotion vocabulary knowledge. The study was conducted in a licensed daycare center in a suburb of Chicago, Illinois, with ten four- and five-year-old students. Pre- and post-session surveys assessed the intervention's impact on the students' receptive and expressive vocabulary knowledge, and observation notes captured the students' responses to the intervention activities. Findings: The results showed significant increases with small to medium effect sizes between the students' pre- and post-session survey scores for both receptive and expressive emotion vocabulary knowledge, a strong positive correlation between the level of student engagement during the intervention and their emotion vocabulary assessment scores, and the impact other variables had on the intervention's effectiveness. Practical implications This research provides information on a culturally adaptable and quickly learned teaching strategy that could be used to build emotional self-regulation skills in the early childhood classroom. Originality/value: This research uniquely applies this intervention as a universal strategy with preschool-aged children.
ISSN:1947-1017
DOI:10.1108/JRIT-12-2023-0192