CAPE TOWN -
Playing the teacher role while still having to ensure that the household is kept running can be a daunting task and at many times overwhelming. And with some grades possibly going back first than others, your child's academics can be stressful on its own.
According to Nal’ibali, South Africa’s reading for enjoyment campaign, homes that have a strong culture of family literacy can have a big impact on the outcome of their children’s academic success, irrespective of their socio-economic status.
The organisation launched a new programme, Family Literacy, designed to help parents help educate their children during the lockdown.
Reading plays a vital role in these tough times, especially by stimulating imagination for our young ones, the organisation stated.
It said, however; the culture of reading 60percent of the homes in the country is not practised, due to not having books at home and that libraries are closed as a result of the lockdown.
Communications Manager at Nal’ibali Sally du Preez said: “Parents often underestimate the important role they play as their children’s first teachers, and that what families do at home, can lay the foundation of how children perceive reading and writing throughout their lives.”
She said simple activities such as the daily sharing of stories, songs and games all form part of family literacy and can be easily integrated into daily life.
Nal’ibali will be sharing these types of activities in a series of ‘how-to’ videos on its
Facebook page and through a series of short, useful articles on its website from May 13-27.
The campaign has created an easy-reference poster for caregivers which can be downloaded for free from its website, and its newly launched virtual reading club will continue to allow children the opportunity to watch locally contextualized stories in different South African languages.