North Carolina Foundations of Reading Practice Test

What is the primary benefit of children discussing pictures in picture books?

1. It improves their spelling.

2. It provides narrative coherence.

3. It increases vocabulary size.

4. It helps them write better sentences.

The correct answer is: It provides narrative coherence.

The primary benefit of children discussing pictures in picture books is that it provides narrative coherence. When children engage with the images, they learn to make connections between the visuals and the story being told, helping them to understand the plot and the relationships between characters and events. This process of discussing and interpreting illustrations fosters their storytelling abilities, as they begin to understand how different elements contribute to the overall narrative. While discussing pictures can relate to vocabulary growth and may indirectly support writing skills in the future, the most direct impact is seen in how children grasp the storyline as they learn to link visuals with the text, enhancing their comprehension and engagement with the story.