A good reader is a person who is active and deliberate and has an ability to view things diversely.
Reading affects people's life a lot, but it's getting difficult to find people enjoying reading.
It seems to be derived from the new information envi...
A good reader is a person who is active and deliberate and has an ability to view things diversely.
Reading affects people's life a lot, but it's getting difficult to find people enjoying reading.
It seems to be derived from the new information environment led by telecommunication and internet development.
Most people who are familiar with this new environment are emotionally unstable and impatient.
It may be a kind of ill effects of information society.
To provide a better reading environment, it's needed to develop practical approaches to reading through the examination of theories and practices in reading programs.
In this paper, the purpose, history, and programs of Bookstart movement in the United Kingdom have been examined and Bookstart programs in Korea, especially that of Busan which started in 2003, has been evaluated.
The Bookstart movement began in Birmingham, UK in 1992. This movement started from the belief that children who are familiar with books would live with them throughout their life.
A 10-year research revealed that the children who had participated in the Bookstart programs got higher marks in linguistic ability, understanding power, and familiarity with books, compared to the children without the programs.
Thus it has been proved that Bookstart programs can affect children emotionally as well as intellectually.
The purpose of Bookstart programs is to give children opportunities to be familiar with books, being free from emotional burden or pressure by letters.
In Korea, Bookstart programs have been implemented as well.
However, since those are focusing on sharing books and educating young children, the original purpose of programs is not well achieved.
Bookstart programs in Korea, especially in Busan, are led by educational institutions like Busan Metropolitan City Office of Education, being implemented in schools.
As a matter of fact, there is a good evaluation in a sense that they have been expanded to the public with various programs and publicity.
However, the Bookstart program is an early childhood reading program.
To make it worth, it should be concentrated on formation of early childhood reading culture.
In this process, libraries should play a leading role in development and implementation of improved reading programs.