Foreign parents of children growing up in Denmark are often pleasantly surprised by the education system.
From the emphasis on play and empathy in the country’s daycare centers to the inclusive approach to social and cultural activities in primary schools, the system tends to produce well-rounded, tolerant individuals.
But there are also shortcomings โ or at least in the eyes of some international parents. The late start to formal schooling means that children in Denmark do not usually master the alphabet until they are seven years old.
And of course this hinders children who would otherwise have wanted to read a book on their own.
Not as easy as ABC
So perhaps it is not surprising to find that Denmark has scored its lowest score ever in the five-year international PIRLS reading test which assesses the reading ability of children aged 10 and 11.
PIRLS not only tests children’s ability to read, but also to understand or critically evaluate texts, and the 2021 survey revealed that 25 percent of Danish children struggle in this regard.
“Nothing has happened to the best readers, but our weak readers have become weaker, and there have been more of them,” says Simon Skov Fougt, a teacher at Denmark’s Institute for Pedagogy and Education, according to DR.
In comparison, however, the Danish results were nowhere near the worst compared to other countries. Carried out in more than 60 countries, Denmark finished in the best third.
Declining interest domestically
However, the same does not apply to leisure reading, where Denmark is in the bottom two next to Norway.
Since the last PIRLS assessment in 2016, Danish children have become significantly less interested in reading outside of school โ a trend that is most noticeable among girls, who tend to read better than boys.
The connection between lack of interest and reduced capacity is obvious, believes Fougt, who calls for action.
“We need to uncover the reasons for the declining enjoyment of reading, and then we will find a way to increase their motivation to read in their free time,” he said.
Certain home factors certainly play a role, suggested Fougt, who believes that parents’ reading habits, the dominant language spoken at home, as well as fatigue and hunger can affect reading habits.
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