There are numerous levels of books for children here in the United States.
From the infant word find books to beginning readers (2-3 word sentences with easy to sound out words) to picture books, beginning chapter books, and more.
While it can seem overwhelming for parents and new teachers, the number of options can provide perfect stepping stones for children learning to read and to build their confidence and reading skills.
On the other hand, many children’s books I have encountered in Germany or Switzerland are either the infant word-find books, or jumping to paragraphs on a page with pictures. I also confirmed this isn’t just a German thing either. While it might encourage some children to push forward, for many others; it discourages them.
Seeing too much to text on the page can seem overwhelming and hinder their desire to try. If you even understand any of the languages in the first place.
Adults who want to use children’s books as a resource are limited to these options too: exceptions are occasionally short little booklets of 3-5 pages.
I have taught not only new readers but struggling readers. I can appreciate the US’ approach to children’s books as stepping stones.
Does Germany only have two children’s book types?
I did say many of the children’s books are either infant or beginning chapters. That doesn’t mean they don’t have the levels in between. Those books aren’t as popular in bookstores or in general so they’re not made or published as often.
Schools do teach reading (in both English and German!) and highly encourage students to read. They even have reading days.
German Grammar a barrier for new readers?
One thought for the lack of ‘learn to read’ books is the struggle to make German sentences short.
Germans are known for long words, long sentences, and there is even a joke about a German forgetting the verb they intended to use because their sentence was so long.
Academic standards pushing new readers?
Another option could be Germany’s academic desire to push students.
Their academic system also works differently than the US system does. High school ends closer to 16 and then moving onto either trade school or college or an apprenticeship in a specialized career. It could be that their approach to reading is different as well.
Learning to read in Switzerland
I actually reached out to a teacher friend of my husbands who teaches elementary school in Switzerland. He confirmed what I’ve been noticing!
Most books are designed for parents or teachers to read to children until about age 7-8 (or 3rd grade in the states). Children are then taught grammar and reading with familiar books and stories.
The ‘learn to read’ books as we recognize them here in the states do exist but again are not as popular with tradition so aren’t as common in stores.
Parental involvement
This does point to an interesting concept of how involved parents in Germany and Switzerland are in their children’s education if there’s no independent ‘learn to read’ books until they truly learn to read.
As I mentioned with playgrounds, German parents are more hands off in the playground area developing independence there, but are more hands-on themes in the academic area.
There’s no database or system in Europe to compare students with learning disabilities or reading disabilities as we do in the United States with our testing system so it’s difficult to know how effective all of these are.
The benefits of the leveled books of the US
As a teacher I like the leveled books for students learning to read. The steppingstone approach not only benefits young children as readers, but also adults learning a second language as readers. They can find a book where they are as readers and push themselves at their own pace.
Simple story lines
The simple text of leveled books isn’t the same as shallow or even short stories. Children do benefit from longer stories with character development and a fulfilled plot just as much as adults do. Simple texts just convey that at their reading level.
Introducing grammar or vocab rules
Each level of book serves a different purpose in a child’s education. From the books in their easy reading level to practice comfortably, to the books that push them to learn and use new skills, to read alouds that present bigger ideas than their reading level. Listening comprehension and reading comprehension are two different skills!
Important facts of your United States. Learning to read on your own is a huge milestone in a child’s academic career, which is why it’s so easy to find ‘learn to read’ books in English. There’s markets out there of books on every topic.
Can adults use childrens’ books to learn German?
Yes! Children’s books can be a great resource for adults learning another language!
Adults, understandably, get turned off by the infant word to find books. They even get boring for me to read to my own children on repeat (- don’t get me wrong I still do!).
On the other hand as a beginner learning German, seeing that page full of words, my only other option was overwhelming and harder to start
Learn more about how to use them here!
