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The thriving national reading-for-enjoyment campaign to promote literacy among South African children, Nal’ibali, is wholly invested in the World Read Aloud Day (Wrad) initiative.
Once again, Nal’ibali is calling on all citizens to join in reading aloud to the children in their lives today (01/02).
For some children it will be the first, important step to habitual reading, while for others it will be a continuation of their reading journey aimed at enabling them to read with comprehension.
Through Wrad, Nal’ibali aims to reach the goal of reading aloud to 3 million children.
“While this year’s Wrad campaign will focus on encouraging families to pledge to read aloud, there will be a strong community outreach component, brought to life by our community projects that have a strong home visit focus,” said Ben Rycroft, head of communications at Nal’ibali.
The initiative is undertaken in partnership with the Department of Basic Education, the National Education Collaboration Trust (NECT) and other key partners.
Nal’ibali has shed some light on the reasons for placing such an emphasis on reading aloud.
There are many benefits to reading aloud to young children – and babies – and reading a story aloud together.
“Most importantly, parents and caregivers need to understand the connection between reading and storytelling and a child’s future success.
“Young children who are read to in languages they understand, perform better in school, develop better memories, stronger vocabularies and comprehension skills,” explained Rycroft.
