Repeating stories can help children with reading

Simple repetition learning techniques could help young children struggling with language to learn vocabulary faster, according to research involving British scientists.

A study looked at whether repeated storybook reading could help youngsters with specific language impairment (SLI) retain information and words compared to children developing at the typical rate for their age.

Dr Jessica Horst, from the University of Sussex, said: “We hope these results will be encouraging to parents of children with SLI. Although there is much left to do, these findings are promising and may help us create cost-effective intervention for children with SLI.”

Prof Katharina Rohlfing said reading a story again and again and establishing a reading routine might the best combination.