The power of storytelling to improve literacy and bring communities together was evident on Wednesday last week during World Read Aloud Day.
The day was established in 2010 by LIT World, a non-profit organisation dedicated to strengthening children and communities through the power of stories. Nal’ibali, a national literacy campaign, drives the project in South Africa, and its aim this year was to have at least three million children read to nationwide.
Libraries ran storytelling sessions, and library staff visited schools to read aloud to pupils. Librarians also visited communities where it is hard for children to get to a library.
Mayoral committee member for community services and health Patricia van der Ross emphasised the importance of reading aloud for children’s development.
“One of our aims is to develop a culture of reading among our children, and it starts with hearing stories being read out loud. Listening to a story does more than take you on an adventure you have to imagine.
“Reading aloud develops listening skills, models the use of language, and improves vocabulary and comprehension. It also motivates young children to read for themselves.”
At Ocean View library, community leaders read English and Afrikaans stories to pupils from Radiance Educare Centre, New Life Centre, and Aquila Preschool.
Reading sessions were also held at Marine Primary School, Kleinberg Primary School and Jupiter Primary School.
Masiphumelele library invited Masakhane Educare and Ithemba Educare for a storytelling session, and library staff also visited Masiphumelele Educare, Chasmey Educare and Centre Educare and held an afternoon read-aloud session with Ikamva Youth, a non-profit organisation that runs an after-school tutoring programme in the community.
Simon’s Town library had a reading session at Bay Primary School and Fish Hoek Primary with Grade R and Grade 1 pupils.
Muizenberg library staff read to pupils at iThemba Primary School in Capricorn and Kids Kingdom Pretty Primary School.
Fish Hoek library invited a Grade R class from Busy Bees Preschool in Ocean View to the library.
