Special guest, Chocolate Planet, will give a passionate performance of "Omusubi Kororin" for the first time.
- The following is content from the press release -
Benesse Corporation (headquartered in Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture; Hitoshi Kobayashi, President & CEO; hereinafter "Benesse") will begin offering an e-book service, "Ehon no Jikan," from the April 2024 issue (distributed on March 25) for its members.
The service will offer about 10 e-books per month selected exclusively for young children, as well as professional, expressive storytelling on a monthly basis. The first April issue features Chocolate Planet as a special guest. Both of them are parents of toddlers themselves, and they will read "Omusubi Kororin" to you in a fun way. In addition to picture books to be read aloud, there will also be books that can be read by the children themselves. A well-balanced selection of books on themes (science, illustrated books, folktales, folk tales, fantasy, social, time of year, culture, etc.) that will broaden the curiosity of young children (books are selected for middle and older children).
Development background: Reading to children in their early childhood influences their reading habits in elementary school and beyond.
Exposure to many books in early childhood leads to rich reading experiences in elementary and junior high school and beyond. A joint study conducted by the Institute of Social Science at the University of Tokyo and the Benesse Institute of Education found that the group that was read to four or more days a week before entering elementary school maintained 1.5 to 2 times the amount of reading throughout middle school compared to the group that was read to less than once a week.
This is such an important early childhood reading program, though, Some parents say that it is difficult for them to find time to read to their children and that they are not confident that they are reading to their children well. In response to this situation, Kodomo Challenge will begin offering a service in which a variety of books are read aloud to children by professionals. In addition to picture books that can be read aloud to children, about 10 books that can be read to children by themselves will be delivered on a monthly basis (available to "Kodomo Challenge" members on a dedicated tablet or through the members' website).
Introduction of "Ebon Time" service
1）Reading Corner (one book per month)
One suitable work for reading aloud is selected each month. Professional voice actors will read to you with full of emotion, expanding your imagination.
The April issue will deliver "Omusubi Kororin" (Fure-Belkan).
The first reading (April issue) featured special guest Chocolate Planet, with Matsuo-san playing four roles!
Mr. Nagata narrated, and Mr. Matsuo enthusiastically played four roles each, from good old man, bad old man, and bad old lady to a mouse.
The storyteller invites you into the world of the story through a fun read-aloud in which you play the role of the character.
We asked the two, who are themselves parents of young children, for their recommendations for this service.
■Nagata's comment
I also read to my children, but I get bored if it is the same person every time, so I try to be creative by imitating cartoon characters.
I thought the children would be delighted to be able to hear other people read to them, as it would be a change of perspective.
■Matsuo's comment
I like that I can easily view picture books on my tablet. As a parent, I also appreciate being able to listen to a good professional read to me.
(2) All-you-can-read corner (about 10 books per month)
A well-balanced arrangement of illustrated and picture book content genres, including science, illustrated books, folk tales, fantasy, social, time of year, and culture. The lineup changes monthly to broaden your curiosity.
10 books for the April issue (tentative) *Lineup will change monthly.
Gakken's illustrated book LIVE Dinosaurs (Gakken)
Pantsu-san" (Poplar Publishing Co., Ltd.)
Okashi ni naritai piman" (I want to be a peppers) (Iwasaki Shoten)
Itsutsugo Rabbit no Kisaten" (Iwasaki Shoten)
Saki's Shoes" (Fure-berukan)
Dangombushi: Mitsuketo yo (Poplar Publishing Co., Ltd.)
Okashi no Otsukai" (Gakken)
Penelope: Hitori de fuku wo kiru" (Penelope, on her own, by Iwasaki Shoten)
I want to be spaghetti" (Gakken)
The Friendly Lion" (Fure-Belkan)
Publishers to be included
Iwasaki Shoten Corporation, Gakken Corporation, Fureberkan Co.
*As of April 2024 (subject to change)
Method of provision and target
The book will be selected for middle and senior high school students.
Provided on the "Shimajiro Club" website and "Kodomo Challenge Touch" (members-only learning tablet).
Method of provision】Starting with the April 2024 issue (distributed on March 25). It will be replaced by a new book on the 25th of every month thereafter.
*The design, content, and works available for viewing may change.
*The works available for viewing vary depending on the time of year.
reference
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Survey period: ongoing since 2015. Conducted July-September of each year.
Target: Approximately 20,000 pairs of parents and children were surveyed for each session.
Method: 15 years by mail and web, 16-20 years by mail, 21 years by mail and web, 22 years by web
Source: Institute of Social Science, University of Tokyo and Benesse Institute for Educational Research
https://berd.benesse.jp/special/datachild/datashu04.php
About Kodomo Challenge
Kodomo Challenge, launched in 1988, continues to provide products and services that support families and expand children's potential through play and learning suited to their upbringing. In addition to educational materials for children aged 0-6 that nurture the ability to open up the future through rich experiences with the brand character "Shimajiro," the company also offers English language materials, TV programs, concerts, and other products and services to support children's growth.
Course for middle school students (Kodomo Kyarenji Sutempu) https://shimajiro.benesse.ne.jp/step/kyozai/#cost
Course for older children (Kodomo Charenji Jampu) https://shimajiro.benesse.ne.jp/jump/kyozai/#cost
Benesse's Reading Service for Children Case Study
E-Library Manabi Library
https://benesse.jp/zemi/library/
Launched in 2015, this e-book service is available to "Shinkenzemi" members (elementary, junior high, and high school courses) within the course fee, allowing them to freely browse approximately 1,000 selected books and 20 videos from Challenge Touch or their own devices at home. With more than 1 million registered users (as of April 2023) and a total of 34 million books lent out annually (in FY2022), this service is being used by many elementary, junior high, and high school students to foster intellectual curiosity.
