Dutch organization fights declining literacy with read-alouds
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In Utrecht, Netherlands, the Voorleesexpress foundation works to improve children’s reading skills and enjoyment by sending volunteers to read aloud to families.
The organization currently serves 5200 families across 150 locations in the country. Sociologist Maarten Wolbers, responsible for the international Pisa research in the Netherlands, noted that roughly ten percent of the recent decline in reading ability can be linked to children who do not speak Dutch at home, a statement for which he faced criticism.
Annet Stegeman, director of the Voorleesexpress, agrees with Wolbers’ assessment and emphasizes the importance of reading for pleasure. She observed that many Dutch schools focus on identifying “signal words” instead of fostering a love of stories. The Voorleesexpress also offers a “Doorleesexpress” program for older children to continue reading with support. Parents like Idrees and Nazha, the parents of Raparin and Mohammed, actively participate by simultaneously translating the stories into their native language while the volunteer reads in Dutch.
Stegeman believes that low literacy is not limited to immigrant families or the education system, but is a broader societal issue, and encourages people to volunteer with the Voorleesexpress.
