What is a defining characteristic of read-aloud sessions?

Read-aloud sessions are characterized by the active engagement of adult readers sharing texts with children. This interactive approach serves several important purposes in literacy development. It allows children to hear fluent reading, which models proper pronunciation, intonation, and pacing. Additionally, adults can provide context and background information before or during the reading, enhancing comprehension and making the experience more enjoyable for the young listeners.

Through these sessions, adults can also prompt discussions, ask questions, and encourage predictions, which helps foster critical thinking and engagement with the text. This interaction is critical for language development and building a love for reading among children.

The other options do not accurately represent the nature of read-aloud sessions. Silent reading does not involve the same level of interaction, solitary reflection goes against the communal and engaging nature of read-alouds, and requiring advanced reading skills contradicts the fundamental purpose of read-alouds, which is to make literature accessible to young children regardless of their individual reading abilities.