Jump to main content
Search
shortlist register contact us menu
younger pupils reading

Young children 'learn better from books with fewer illustrations'

Date posted : 04 July 2017

Nursery school pupils generally perform better in terms of language learning when reading from books with fewer illustrations, according to new research.

The University of Sussex study, which aimed to assess how children learn and acquire language, offered evidence that too much visual information can become distracting and make it harder for young pupils to acquire new words from the stories they are reading.

In this study, storybooks were read to three-year-olds, with some books containing only one illustration per double-page spread, while others featured an illustration on each page. These pictures were designed to introduce the child to new objects that were named on the page.

Children who were read stories with only one illustration at a time were shown to have learned twice as many words as those reading books with multiple images, with the researchers suggesting that presenting too many pictures makes it harder for young readers to know where to look, meaning they are not following the text.

In a follow-up experiment, researchers used a simple hand gesture to guide the children to look at the correct illustration before the page was read to them, finding that this simple intervention was effective in helping children to learn words when they saw two illustrations across the page.

These findings support previous studies that indicate that adding too many visual elements to children's books - such as interactive flaps to lift, or anthropomorphic animal characters - can decrease their learning value.

Doctoral researcher and co-author Zoe Flack said: "Our findings fit well with cognitive load theory, which suggests that learning rates are affected by how complicated a task is. In this case, by giving children less information at once, or guiding them to the correct information, we can help children learn more words."

List #1

Related posts

Christmas background
Christmas Payroll Dates 2024

Teaser

Educators

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD12YY

Summary

The festive season and the end of term are quickly approaching! To help you prepare, our Payroll team has shared all the essential dates you need to ensure you get paid before Christmas. Check out t

Teaser

Read more
Zuzana Vrtalova

by

Zuzana Vrtalova

Zuzana Vrtalova

by

Zuzana Vrtalova

Nursery Children with a Teacher
Supporting schools to maximise nursery and breakfast club funding

Teaser

Nursery

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD11YY

Summary

The government has announced new nursery funding and the introduction of free before-school breakfast clubs. These initiatives will bring change to early education. Yet staffing them will be a c

Teaser

Discover how to secure funding for nurseries and breakfast clubs while overcoming staffing challenges. Learn practical steps and access expert support to make these government initiatives a success in your school.

Read more
Zuzana Vrtalova

by

Zuzana Vrtalova

Zuzana Vrtalova

by

Zuzana Vrtalova

Educator CPD Academy
Launching Soon: The New Educator CPD Academy

Teaser

Educators

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD10YY

Summary

On the 5th of November, we are excited to unveil our new eLearning platform, the Educator CPD Academy. This innovative platform will enhance your learning experience while maintaining a

Teaser

Exciting update! On the 5th of November, we’re launching the Educator CPD Academy, a sleek new eLearning platform. Stay tuned for more updates and get ready for an upgraded learning journey!

Read more
Zuzana Vrtalova

by

Zuzana Vrtalova

Zuzana Vrtalova

by

Zuzana Vrtalova

Supply Teaching: The Ultimate Solution for Burnout this Teacher Resignation Day

Teaser

Educators

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD10YY

Summary

As 31st October approaches, it’s a significant date for many teachers in the UK who may be considering their professional future.  Teaching has always been one of the most rewarding professions. Y

Teaser

Discover how supply teaching offers a flexible solution for teacher burnout this Teacher Resignation Day. Learn about reduced workload, better work-life balance, and career variety with Teaching Personnel.

Read more
Adam Davies

by

Adam Davies

Adam Davies

by

Adam Davies

How Teaching Assistants (TAs) Help Schools Thrive

Teaser

Educators

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD09YY

Summary

Teaching assistants (TAs) are an invaluable part of schools today. Their dedication and hard work deserve to be celebrated! Their impact is so meaningful that pupils often remember the differenc

Teaser

Teaching assistants (TAs) are the backbone of inclusive and thriving schools, providing essential support to pupils and teachers alike. Join us in celebrating their invaluable contributions on National Teaching Assistants’ Day, September 27th.

Read more
Zuzana Vrtalova

by

Zuzana Vrtalova

Zuzana Vrtalova

by

Zuzana Vrtalova

School’s out for summer - Eight tips to enjoy the break

Teaser

Educators

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD07YY

Summary

School is finally out for summer. Final-year students have left with scribbled shirts for pastures new. Final assemblies have taken place, and thank-you cards and gifts have been gratefully receiv

Teaser

Discover eight essential tips for teachers to unwind and recharge during the summer break. Make the most of your time off with these practical and enjoyable suggestions.

Read more
Tackling Absenteeism: Turning the Tide with our Attendance Mentors Programme

Teaser

Educators

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD05YY

Summary

Poor attendance has been an issue across the UK since the pandemic. According to recent statistics, pupil absenteeism in England soared to 22% by 2023. This equates to over 125,000 pupils missing

Teaser

Discover how our Attendance Mentors Programme tackles pupil absenteeism in the UK. Learn how tailored support and proven strategies can boost school attendance and academic success.

Read more
Navigating Exam Stress: How to Help Your Learners

Teaser

Tips and Advice

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD05YY

Summary

As the academic year peaks, the pressure of exams can overwhelm pupils. Many teachers believe that tests and exams have the biggest impact on students’ mental health. With GCSEs, SATs, and A-Levels

Teaser

Read more
How to Make Teaching an Attractive Career Choice

Teaser

Tips and Advice

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD04YY

Summary

The teacher recruitment crisis is a priority for school leaders across the country. In the 2021–22 academic year, 4000 teachers retired, and 9% of the teaching workforce resigned, marking the highes

Teaser

Read more
Your Easter 2024 Payroll

Teaser

Educators

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD03YY

Summary

Planning for the Easter break? The Teaching Personnel payroll team wants to make sure you get paid on time. This table outlines the Easter 2024 payroll date, along with the corresponding deadline

Teaser

Read more
Adam Davies

by

Adam Davies

Adam Davies

by

Adam Davies

company logo
Search