Literacy skills are fundamental for the development of children. Within the umbrella of literacy, there exists a wide array of subjects, some of which are sometimes overlooked.

Vocabulary, in general, tends to be underdeveloped for the primary learner’s level. Yet, vocabulary is critical for children to develop language and communication in their early years. Indeed, children with poor language skills are likely to have low school readiness and are at risk for subsequent academic problems. Further studies have shown that a child’s vocabulary is one of the biggest contributors to their performance at school in all subjects, even including math.

Immersing students directly in the context when a new word appears in a sentence or idea is one of the most efficient ways to learn vocabulary.

By using innovative settings through sounds such as a pedagogical guide, a soundscape recordings collection and audio stories, Sound of Stories aims to expose students to vocabulary in a wide range of contexts.

Using sounds also fosters the imagination of pupils to create stories and use storytelling as a tool to reinforce their literacy and vocabulary skills. Whether it is through exploring historical periods through specific sounds or creating a story from routine sounds, using sounds can act as weapons to fill the word gap.

Within this project, we will prepare a booklet for teachers and other actors related to teaching literacy and language skills to young learners who want to know more about the benefits of using sounds in primary education.