Background

Many Dutch children are able to read, but they hardly ever do. A negative spiral occurs: little practice in reading results in a decline in reading skill, which in turn results in a low reading motivation and less reading. ‘Bibliotheek op de Basisschool’ (library in elementary school) is an initiative to enhance reading and reading motivation in children in primary school. The local library collaborates with the school to create an attractive school library with a large book collection.

The research project focuses on the effectivity of this initiative and which of the many elements are most effective in terms of reading skill and motivation. Furthermore, the role of feedback in reading motivation is examined in a series of experiments. Is continuous, individual feedback a way to enhance reading motivation and help children to keep reading?

 

• emergent literacy
• reading comprehension
• reading motivation
• reading skills