What approach should a teacher take to assess a nonverbal child’s understanding of a picture book?

Using pictures for sequencing is a highly effective approach to assess a nonverbal child’s understanding of a picture book because it allows the child to express comprehension without the need for verbal communication. By providing picture cards that represent various scenes or elements from the story, the teacher can encourage the child to arrange them in chronological order or according to the narrative structure. This method taps into the child’s visual learning and cognition, enabling them to demonstrate their understanding of the story’s sequence, key events, and characters.

The tactile and visual nature of this strategy also accommodates different learning styles and makes the assessment more accessible for a nonverbal child. It fosters a sense of accomplishment and can be less intimidating than verbal assessments, making it an ideal choice for capturing a nonverbal child's insights and understanding of the material.

Using actions to explain the story could provide some contextual clues but may not effectively gauge the child's comprehension in a structured way. Direct questions would not be suitable for a nonverbal child, as they can’t respond verbally. Encouraging group discussions might not yield any insight into the child's understanding if they are not able to participate in verbal interactions. Thus, sequencing with pictures becomes the most effective and appropriate method for assessing their understanding.