Inouk E. Boerma|Suzanne E. Mol|Jelle Jolles
Reading Pictures for Story Comprehension Requires Mental Imagery Skills
Hogeschool iPabo|Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam|Leiden University|Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
examined role mental imagery skills story comprehension 150 fifth graders 10 12yearolds reading narrative book chapter alternating words pictures ie text blocks alternated one twopage picture spreads parallel group design used compared experimental book version pictures used replace parts corresponding text two control versions ie textonly version version full story text pictures analyses showed interaction mental imagery book version children higher mental imagery skills outperformed children lower mental imagery skills story comprehension reading experimental narrative case control conditions suggests childrens mental imagery skills significantly contributed mental representation story created successfully integrating information words pictures results emphasize importance mental imagery skills explaining individual variability reading development implications educational practice find effective ways instruct children read pictures develop use mental imagery skills probably contribute mental models therefore story comprehension