What is an “experience book?”
A traditional book allows us to tell the same story, in the same way, to many different people. The story remains the same no matter who reads the book.
Having read the book, people can discuss the ideas in the story with each other. The discussion may focus on ideas that range from concrete to abstract. Who was in the story? What happened? Or, why did the character do what he did? How did the character feel? If a reader forgets part of the story, he or she can refer back to the text. It becomes the reference for future readers and future discussions.Experience books are similar to traditional books in that they:
- tell a story;
- are tied to specific language/communication;
- allow a child to share, re-create, and review the same story over and over again with many different people, whether at home or at school; and
- are the basis for conversation.
Experience books differ from traditional books in that:
- Experience books are created with a specific reader in mind.
- The story is based on an experience or interest of the target reader.
- The objects included in the experience book are particular to the experience or interest of the student for whom the book is made.
- The words written (and, when appropriate, brailled) on the pages are chosen for a particular student.
There are many different ways to make experience books. Several examples appear in the videos on this page. Identifying the desired outcome (for example: communication, structured interaction, consistency of vocabulary, reinforcement of familiar routines) will help to determine the appropriate format and content.
Tips for Home or School
Some “Dos” and “Don’ts” for Creating Experience Books
By Mary Ellen Pesavento (2009)
|DO create a book based on the child’s experience, thinking about what is both interesting and relevant to the child:
||DON’T adapt a commercially available book. Experience stories should:
| DO use vocabulary and develop concepts relevant to the child’s own experience.
||DON’T clutter the story with too much information.
|DO write words (and braille if appropriate) on each page so individuals who are reading the book with the student use the same vocabulary each time the story is read.||DON’T focus on having the child read the text. Generally, students using experience books connect with the objects placed on each page.|
|DO use objects relevant to the child’s experience.
||DON’T use miniaturized objects.