Little minds rife with potential to grow into the most avid of readers \u2013 hundreds of preschoolers converged on the Arderne Gardens in Claremont on Wednesday 7 February, and dived headlong into a world of words on World Read Aloud Day (WRAD).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Organised by Claremont and Manenberg libraries, the little ones were from five educare centres \u2013 Little Lillies, Mustadafin Educare Centre, Strawberry Play Centre, Bumble Bee Educare and Manenberg Moravian Cr\u00e8che \u2013 all invited to commemorate the occasion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe again chose to invite the same educare centres that formed part of the five-week reading programme run to mark National Literacy Month last September,\u201d said Claremont\u2019s assistant librarian Nuhaa Portland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The library\u2019s input forms part of the City\u2019s greater library scheme to champion reading in partnership with Nal\u2019ibali [a national reading-for-enjoyment initiative to get children and adults passionate about telling and reading]. The aim was to reach three million children across the country through the magic of reading stories aloud. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt is important to read aloud to prevent a decline in literacy rates among children,\u201d said Portland. \u201cBesides promoting joy and connection, we also encourage children to become confident readers by reading aloud.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And creating a memorable reading experience was the goal for children this WRAD. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe do this by providing engaging stories and characters that children can relate to. Reading aloud encourages children to develop literacy skills and engage in meaningful conversation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Portland said other City partners such as the City\u2019s Water and Sanitation, Urban Waste Management and Biodiversity public awareness teams were also invited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis was the perfect opportunity, not simply just to read some of these wonderful stories from Nal\u2019ibali aloud, but to spend time with hardworking officials who agreed to share awareness of water conservation and keeping the environment clean. We were also joined by the City\u2019s Biodiversity team to foster awareness of snakes that were specially arranged with necessary permits to entertain the little ones today.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
WRAD was founded by LIT World in 2010 as a celebration of reading aloud, community literacy and the importance of sharing stories. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nal\u2019ibali is the local driver of the project in South Africa, setting a national target each year. The City\u2019s Library and Information Services (LIS) is one of the key partners. This year WRAD events were hosted by all the libraries across the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOne of our aims is to develop a culture of reading among our children and it starts with hearing stories being read out loud,\u201d commented Patricia van der Ross, Mayco member for community services and health. \u201cListening to a story does more than take you on an adventure you have to imagine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cReading aloud develops listening skills, models the use of language and improves vocabulary and comprehension. It also motivates young children to read for themselves.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most City libraries offer storytelling sessions and in some suburbs, librarians go out to areas where young children are not able to visit the library on their own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Van der Ross acknowledged that \u201cfinding time on our busy days to read aloud to our children can be a challenge. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI want to encourage parents and caregivers to start this WRAD with one story. We often highlight the many benefits of reading to children and bonding with your child is only one. It\u2019s an investment in their education and future, which only costs some of your time,\u201d she concluded.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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