Interactive reading of picture books to stimulate mathematical development in young children

This doctoral project focuses on the use of picture books to stimulate mathematical development in young children (3-6 year). Particular attention will be paid to the interaction between the teacher and the child during the reading of picture books. The doctoral project will consist of a series of empirical studies in ecologically valid settings. Each of these studies will focus on the interaction between the (future) teacher and the child during picture book reading. Based on observational research, the spontaneous teacher-child interaction and the alignment of this interaction with the child's mathematical competencies can be mapped. Intervention studies can be used to train and professionalize (future) teachers to optimize this interaction in order to maximize learning gains for all children.