Reading crisis a learning disaster
Last month, we discussed how babbling to babies boosts their brains. We learned that language is one of the most important foundations for brain development and babies start to learn language from birth by hearing the language of the important people in their lives, who love, care, interact and play with them.
The more parents talk to their children from birth, the faster those children’s language skills grow and the better their intelligence develops. Brain development is cumulative and the more children know and understand, the faster they learn and understand even more! We also know that children’s vocabulary and understanding of language underpins their ability to learn to read, write and do maths.
South Africa performs really badly in international literacy tests, coming last out of 50 countries. The 2016 test results show that 78% of South Africa’s Grade 4 children cannot read for meaning in any language. This has a devastating impact on their ability to learn and do well in school and in life. We also know that South Africa has a really poor culture of reading. Only 14% of us are active readers and only 5% of parents read to their children. And while books are expensive, it’s not all about money. South Africans spend twice as much on chocolates each year than they do on books!
We need to make storytelling and reading books to our children (from birth) one of the most important things we do. As Africans, we have a rich cultural heritage of storytelling that we need to pass on to our children. Young children love to hear stories about themselves, about you and your life when you were young; about the people and animals around them. Make storytelling part of your family life. Stories can be told by anyone, anytime, any place and often. They are a wonderful way to entertain children as you travel on a bus, taxi or car, or as you wait in a queue at the clinic or shop.
It is also important to introduce your young child to print and books. Initially, this may be through recognising road signs like “Stop” and shop names in the neighbourhood. Most important — introduce your little one to his or her written name. We know that books are really important to support children to become literate. Books are expensive, but when parents understand how important books are in helping children learn, there are things they can do. Even parents who struggle with literacy can make picture books out of paper or cardboard with cut out pictures from magazines or packaging. And then there are libraries in almost all towns — and they are free. You just need to join. Then there’s Nal’ibali, the national reading for enjoyment campaign. You will find Nal’ibali on the radio, in newspaper supplements, on the internet – www.nalibali.org and on your phone – www.nalibali.mobi
Start today! Set your child up for success! LOVE, PLAY, TALK
Learn more about what you can do to change your child’s future by listening weekly to Love, Play, Talk, the radio programme on Valley FM aired EVERY Tuesday from 10:00 to 10:30, and brought to you by llifa Labantwana and RCL FOODS. Get more information from the Valley FM website www.valleyfm.co.za or the llifa Labantwana website www.ilifalabantwana.co.za.
Source: Worcester Standard News