Lesebrett

Lesebrett is a traditional educational aid used to support early literacy in Nordic language education. The term combines lese, meaning to read, with brett, meaning board, and it refers to a small, portable tool—often a wooden board, laminated card, or a booklet—containing simple reading material designed for beginner readers.

The content of a lesebrett typically consists of short, decodable texts with high-frequency or phonetically regular words. Texts are usually presented in a controlled sequence and may be accompanied by illustrations. Some formats use a window or line-by-line layout to guide the reader’s eyes, and learners may use a finger, ruler, or pointer to follow along. The aim is to reinforce phonics, word recognition, and basic sentence comprehension through repeated, guided practice.

Lesebretts are used to provide immediate, low-barrier reading experiences, often aligned with early phonics instruction. They can be employed in classroom settings, during one-on-one tutoring, or at home to support literacy development. The approach emphasizes gradual progression from simple decodable phrases to more complex sentences as fluency grows.

Historically, lesebretts were common in mid- to late-20th-century primary education in some Nordic regions. While many education systems have shifted to broader literacy curricula and digital resources, variants of lesebrett-like tools persist, particularly in special education or settings that favor low-tech, tactile learning materials. The core concept remains: a leveled, beginner-friendly reading aid that helps new readers practice decoding and fluency with simple texts.

See also: literacy education, phonics, reading primers, beginner readers.