The PISA scores are a warning: language development starts much earlier

The latest PISA results once again show a worrying trend: the reading proficiency of Dutch young people is under pressure. A significant group of 15-year-olds struggle with reading skills that are important at school and in society.

That raises an important question for us at Jungle the Bungle:

What happens in all those years before a pupil is fifteen?

Language begins much earlier

Strong reading skills do not develop overnight. For years, children build up their vocabulary, language comprehension and knowledge of the world.

They learn new words by hearing, seeing, pronouncing, encountering them again and using them themselves. And motivation plays an important role in this.

Therefore, at Jungle the Bungle we believe that children should not only practise language, but above all experience and use it.

From practice to experience

In Jungle the Bungle, children encounter language within stories, characters, games and activities. New words can be introduced digitally and then recur in conversations, assignments and classroom activities.

This is how we connect listening, speaking and doing.

An app is not, of course, the ultimate solution for declining reading proficiency. However, well-designed digital applications can contribute to a rich language environment in which children are frequently exposed to language and motivated to use it.

From numbers to the classroom

Therefore, the PISA results should not only make us ask:

How do we get young people to read more?

But also:

How do we ensure that children become curious about language from an early age, learn many words and experience pleasure in using it?

That is what we at Jungle the Bungle want to continue working on, together with schools.

Because if we want fifteen-year-olds to have a stronger grasp of language, we need to start much earlier.

Experience for yourself how language and play come together?

At Jungle the Bungle, we believe that language development starts with making children curious about language. That is why we combine language, stories and play in an environment where children actively engage with new words.

Curious to see what that looks like in practice? Try Jungle the Bungle for free and discover what it can do for your pupils.

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