«Those who are read to have better starting opportunities»
Mrs Baetcke, what is the aim of the Book Start project?
Buchstart is committed to ensuring that all children in Switzerland are supported in their language development from the age of one so that they can access the world of books and knowledge. It is about a positive, relaxed, lively approach to language, to stories and beautiful moments that arise between two people who like each other and tell each other something. You can't go wrong with Buchstart. And we know that: Those who are read to have a better start.
Why is it so important for children to come into contact with books from an early age?
Storytelling and reading aloud, the moment of closeness and the feeling of security are at the centre of Buchstart. Books are just the medium for this. From a neurological point of view, reading aloud is crucial for a child's development and future prospects. The brain networks are stimulated, cognitive development is promoted, language acquisition is accelerated, empathy is awakened, the bond with parents is strengthened, the ability to concentrate is improved and emotional resilience is increased.
Which books do you read yourself?
I read to my children for a long time. I only stopped reading to my daughter when the Harry Potter books became over 600 pages long. She was simply quicker when she read them herself. And with my son, who hardly reads at all, I make an attempt from time to time. Most recently, I read Wolfgang Herrndorf's young adult novel «Tschick» to him - reading aloud has no age limit.
The Buchstart project is supported by the Bibliomedia Switzerland Foundation and the Swiss Institute for Child and Youth Media. The Buchstart cardboard books for children aged six months and over are published in three languages. PDF translations of the Buchstart books are available in 30 languages.
Parents can obtain their pack free of charge from libraries, paediatricians' surgeries or from the Mothers' and Fathers' Advice Centre. Further information can be found at www.buchstart.ch.
More about reading:
- Unsere Bücher-Tipps zum Vorlesen
Für die kindliche Entwicklung und die familiäre Bindung sind Vorlesen und selber Lesen elementar. Aus Redaktion und Verlag stellen wir Ihnen unsere liebsten Bücher vor. - «Zwischen zwei Buchdeckeln versteckt sich ein Schatz»
Leseexpertin Franziska Weber betont die vielfältigen positiven Effekte des Vorlesens. Trotzdem sagt sie: Niemand soll sich dazu zwingen.
- Dossier lesen
«Ich lese, also bin ich.» Wie die aktuelle Forschung zeigt, ist die Lesekompetenz eine wichtige Grundlage fürs weitere Lernen. Doch wie lernen Kinder zu lesen? Wie wichtig ist das Vorlesen schon für die ganz Kleinen? Und wie werden Kinder zu Leseratten statt Büchermuffeln?