Growing together at Kibeo, word by word

Amidst rhinoceros cuddly toys, a cardboard box with drawings of a river, and picture books, Vivian sits ready with the picture book "Rinus" on her lap. The toddlers and preschoolers trickle in. Some shyly take their places on the soft seats. Others dare to come closer and curiously examine what Vivian has with her. When she starts reading, the murmur gives way to wide eyes and amazed "ooohs" and "aaahs."

BookStart at Kibeo

Today was a celebration at the Klimroos Children's Center in Roosendaal. To celebrate the partnership with the West Brabant Library for BoekStart, a special visitor came by: reading media consultant Vivian Phillipo-van Kaam. She and her colleagues are training a pedagogical professional at each Kibeo location to become a reading coordinator. A total of 15 locations collaborate with this library. The reading coordinators receive tips for interactive reading and learn how to create a diverse book selection, taking into account different levels, different cultures, and characters with hearing aids, for example.

Vivian wasn't alone during her visit today. Rinus the rhino, his grandfather, and his friends also joined in the fun!

Learn new words in a playful way

“I consciously choose a book that the children already know,” says Vivian as she sets up her materials in the school library of the Klimroos Children's Center.
The picture book "Rinus" was chosen as Picture Book of the Year this year and was already featured during the National Reading Days. Rinus played a starring role again today. "This way, the story is already somewhat familiar and is better absorbed. Reading aloud should be fun, cozy, and welcoming. It should truly be a celebration, because reading aloud is incredibly important! Books contain words that children often don't hear in everyday life. This way, they learn new words in a playful way."

Recognition and conversation

The story about Rinus and his strong grandfather resonates with the children. "I have a grandfather too!" a girl calls from the lap of a childcare professional. "And is your grandfather strong too?" asks Vivian with a smile. A boy responds: "No, but my daddy is." A girl with dark curls proudly exclaims: "My grandfather! My grandfather can put out fires. He's a real hero!"

Talking, playing, watching

Vivian emphasizes that reading aloud isn't just about the act of reading, but also about the conversation surrounding it. "That's how words come to life. The children don't just hear the words, they use them." Just like today. After reading aloud, Vivian brings out a game with which they can act out the story together. There's enthusiastic cheering. Through play, the children delve even deeper into Rinus's story. Finally, they watch an animated film of the book together. "Bereslim often has animated film clips of books," Vivian explains. "That way, children see the story in motion and understand it even better." At the end, all the children receive a goodie bag containing all sorts of gifts, including an activity book and a postcard with a coloring page of Rinus that they can color in and give to their own hero.

Everything starts with language

Bernou Hendriks, branch manager of De Klimroos, emphasizes the importance of this reading method. "There's a big difference between 'regular' reading and interactive reading. At our branch, some children start without a word of Dutch. Sometimes they speak a different language at home, or sometimes they grow up bilingual. When I read about a mushroom and a hedgehog, they have no idea what they are. But when I show them a wooden mushroom and a cuddly hedgehog, those words take shape. That's how their vocabulary grows, word by word. When the children leave after-school care at twelve, they already have a solid foundation in Dutch." And why is that so important? Bernou has a good answer: "Everything starts with language."