THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN YOUNG CHILDREN’S GRAPHIC NARRATIVE SKILLS AND READING BEHAVIOR: INSIGHTS FROM THE MATTHEW EFFECT

This study examines the relationship between children's storytelling abilities and reading behavior, comparing those with high and low abilities. Using the Matthew Effect, it suggests that children with high skills demonstrate greater engagement and attention in reading, strengthening their language and reading abilities through feedback loops. Twenty kindergarteners were assessed for narrative skills, and four were selected for six weeks of observation to record reading during self-directed activities. Results showed that high-picture-reading kids showed stronger interest and better attention, while low-picture-reading kids showed less interest, poor attention, and more distracted reading. This finding confirms the positive relationship between reading and storytelling and reading behavior in children, validating the Matthew effect. The researcher suggests three targeted educational recommendations.