Making stories and reading fun for children will encourage them to want to learn to read for themselves.
This, in turn, will help them to perform better in school.
Children generally learn to read around the age of six, and become more confident readers between the ages of six and nine. This is when they will really discover the magic of books.
The character Gogo of Nal’ibali – a national reading-for-enjoyment campaign to spark children’s potential through storytelling and reading – gives a few tips to encourage children to read more:
- Read aloud: Reading aloud is not just for babies; it’s for older children too. Choose stories that you both love and that your child cannot yet read.
- Read to each other: Put your feet up while your child reads to you or take turns reading aloud. It is not a test; it is fun and special time you are spending with your child. Let them perform, be silly and make mistakes.
- Listen to the sounds: Words are funny things with many different sounds. Make your child familiar with them by sharing songs, rhymes and tongue twisters.
- Make it real: When your children recognise activities or topics in stories that they do or know themselves, ask them questions about their experiences and answer their questions.
- Choose the right books: Books should be interesting and not too difficult to read. This will allow your child to have successful reading experiences.
Gogo is giving away books to three lucky parents or caregivers and their little ones.
Interested parties can send Gogo an email at support@nalibali.org with the subject line “Hello, Gogo!” and a description of the suggestion they like best. Their name, contact number and physical address must be included.
- Visit nalibali.org or send a WhatsApp message with the word “stories” to 060-044-2254 to get free children’s stories in all South African languages. Find Nal’ibali on Facebook and Twitter (@nalibaliSA).
