Literacy • Early Learning
Why is reading important for children?
Reading and Learning are the two main factors that contribute to the success of a child’s school career. Reading is a skill that a child needs to learn and develop, no child is born with an inherent will to read; the brain is simply not wired that way.
Cultivating a Love for Reading
So what do we do about it? A love for reading books must be nurtured in children from a very young age to foster a lifelong passion for reading. For instance, for a tree to grow, it does not only take a few months but years to mature into a beautiful, large, shady tree. Just like a tree that needs water, sunlight, and air to grow, a love for reading books requires constant effort and input.
It is our duty as parents, grandparents, teachers, family members, pre-primary schools, and libraries to bring the BOOK and the CHILD together.
Books at Home
Along with all the new-born necessities like nappies, bottles, and wipes, there must be BOOKS in your home as well, and they should be within reach of everyone in the house and not packed away on a bookshelf. The best books to get for babies and young toddlers include books made of fabric, plastic books for the bath, books that make noise or sounds, textured books, and later on hardcover books. (The cute noisy books given as a gift by grandma might drive the parents crazy though!)
Examples of books:
- My Bybel-badboekies: Die verlore skapie by Fiona Heyes (Human & Rousseau)
- The Copy Crocs (Oxford University Press)
- Wat eet jy? (LAPA)
- Look & Learn Bugs (Parragon Books)
- A Little Bit Brave (Nicola Kinnear)
- Ronde magies: Snoesige Katjie (LAPA)
- Koddige gesiggie: Ludwig die Leeu (Human & Rousseau)
- Giraffe in the Bath (Russell Punter)
- Dit Raas op die Plaas (Human & Rousseau)
- Babageluide: Giggel en Soen (LAPA)
💡 In the beginning, the book is just an item for your baby to explore, smell, touch, and taste!
The following types of books can be very helpful in encouraging children to pick up books:
- Pop-up books
- Books with flaps (who can resist a good OTTO book)
- Books that make noise
- Books with CDs
- Rhyme/poem books
- Texture books
By bringing books into everyday moments, bath time, bedtime, or a quiet afternoon, you are not just teaching a child to read; you are opening a door to worlds of wonder, knowledge, and empathy. Every page turned together builds a foundation for a lifetime of learning.
References:
Jay Heale, Dol oor boeke, Metz Press, 2012
Dr Melodie de Jager & Liz Victor, Play Learn Know, Metz Press, 2013
Fiona Chandler, Help jou kind lees en skryf, Usborne Ouergids Jacklin Uitgewers, 2009
