We regularly read headlines about how children's reading skills are declining. Studies such as the Pisa tests measure these skills – and have shown a slight decline over the past ten years. What should give us particular cause for concern is that the proportion of low-performing pupils is steadily increasing.
Regardless of test results, reading should be given special importance, especially when it comes to a person's educational career and development. Teaching reading skills has always been one of the most important cultural techniques. It enables social participation by promoting exchange and understanding through writing.
Reading has a multifaceted effect: it establishes a connection to language, stimulates the imagination and unlocks knowledge.
For years, our schools have been doing a great deal to inspire a love of reading in children. Reading promotion programmes are widespread, and reading and literature are among the core skills taught in the curriculum from the very beginning. Reading has many benefits: it establishes a connection to language, stimulates the imagination and opens up new knowledge. The joy of reading, writing and storytelling is a central component of our understanding of education.
Shared storytelling moments are formative
I particularly enjoy immersing myself in a story while reading together with my school class. We are currently following in the footsteps of Giorgio from Ticino to Milan with the young adult book «Die schwarzen Brüder» (The Black Brothers) and keeping a reading diary. Every day, some of the children voluntarily start the day before class begins by reading from the reading box.
I also find that older pupils enjoy it when I read them a story. Shared storytelling moments are memorable – for example, around the campfire at school camp, during a storytelling night by candlelight or an Advent mystery story.
It is important to me that children can read at their own level so that they can experience a sense of achievement. Regular visits to the library with the class also open doors to the world of books. Those who read are focused and create their own inner images. Children's and young adult literature is rich, arouses curiosity and inspires the imagination.
Language support from the outset
Not only schools play a central role in promoting reading, but also families. The early years of life are particularly important for a child's development: children need attention and a wide range of linguistic stimulation. The foundations for reading and language skills are laid during this period. The national «Buchstart» project is committed to ensuring that all children in Switzerland are supported in their language development from the very beginning.
Parents can support their children in this process in a variety of ways. The good old bedtime story is an ideal starting point. Reading aloud every day not only opens the door to imaginary worlds for children, but also expands their vocabulary. A playful, communicative and exploratory approach to language lays the foundation for learning to read later on.
Parents therefore do their children a big favour by introducing them to the world of words as early as possible. In addition to reading aloud, they can also make up fantasy stories together or look at picture books. The key is regularity – ideally through fixed reading rituals. Reading activities in the mother or father's language also strengthen the connection to the parents' language of origin and nurture the relationship.
Only those who understand texts can classify and evaluate information and use media sensibly – a key competence.
Visiting a library together is also very worthwhile. Libraries are among the most frequently used public institutions and fulfil important cultural, educational and social functions. They are places of exchange and encounter and make an indispensable contribution to promoting reading at all ages. It is wonderful that libraries are so popular in Switzerland.
Reading in the digital world
The longer we stare at screens, the less we talk to each other or read a book. But children need books, because they provide a counterbalance to the immaterial world of digital media. Picture books and reading books in particular are a valuable alternative to screens. A book can be explored with all the senses: you can leaf through it, write in it, dog-ear the pages or smell the paper.
In the context of the much-discussed digitisation of education, reading skills are essential as a key competence for accessing knowledge – especially when dealing with media. Only those who understand texts can classify and evaluate information and use media sensibly.
Against the backdrop of our knowledge society, the importance of this fundamental skill becomes particularly clear. Scientific findings also show that we become more susceptible to fake news when our critical thinking skills are less trained through concentrated reading.
Even though media are changing rapidly, reading, writing, storytelling and listening are more than ever part of our basic cultural skills. They create relationships and community. In a completely analogue way.
