The City of Helsinki introduces all first-graders to libraries. The aim is to close the inequality gap between families.
The 1D class of Vartiokylä primary school in Helsinki is visiting Itäkeskus library. Everyone can borrow a book to take home.
There are lots of interesting books on the shelves. Especially dog books, animal books and books of interest.
– The way to learn to read is to first learn to read the syllables,” says Terimo.
– A good book is one with enough pages and a decent story. And one without hyphens. Hyphens are annoying, he says.
Helsinki wants all first graders in libraries
In addition to first graders in Vartiokylä elementary school, all other first graders in Helsinki visit the library during their first school year. Everyone gets their own book from their visit to the library. It is a gift from the city and the publisher to children.
With library visits, Helsinki wants to invest in the fact that children, regardless of their background, learn to visit the library.
– So that every child gets the opportunity to start a fun reading hobby and start developing it, he says.
For some, libraries are a foreign place
According to Helminen, school library visits have brought more children to libraries.
– Unfortunately, not all families are equal. For others, the library is a strange place, where they don’t know how to go, and the family may not even have library cards.
With the Helsinki library model, we want the child from those families who have not visited a library to feel that the library is their place.
Helminen reminds parents that even though school is starting, reading together is still important.
– If the parent just watches Netflix, it’s hard to tell the child that you should read.
The schoolchildren of Vartiokylä got excited
He says that he usually reads several times a day and always before going to bed.
– I always read in my own room. I turn on the lights and start reading, says El Bouar.
Children think reading is useful.
– Wisdom accumulates, Elina Suoranta knows.