In celebration of World Book Day observed on Sunday 23 April, a group of children has created their story books.
The 25 learners aged between two and five years at Steers Educare in Hanover Park celebrated on Friday 21 April to highlight the importance of reading.
Principal Avril Martin says the educare was established in 1995.
“We want to encourage our learners to develop a love for books and reading, that is why they must be exposed to books at a young age. For a younger child, picture reading is the manner in which they start. Children can create their own books through pictures. It’s a very good start to have them make these books as it will be their very own,” she says.
The process of creating their own books in celebration of the annual day has instilled pride in the children, says Martin.
“This way they become interested and just want to do more. The kids take pride in the books they have made. They learn to respect books and treat them with care. What we have experienced in the past, is that the learners love to read their own books over and over and they take real good care of what they have created,” she says.
Martin has been the principal of the ECD for a number of years, but her journey started with Steers while she was still completing her qualifications.
“For four years, I was a volunteer at the educare while completing my teaching qualification at the College of Cape Town. The previous principal pursued her career in the education field and offered me the opportunity to become the principal at Steers Educare,” she says.
The Centre of Early Childhood Development has also sponsored books for the children titled My rights, and Ward 48 PR councillor Rodney Cameron delivered an address on the importance of reading.
