Govt gives out reading kits to promote reading habit
KUCHING: The government is currently on a mission to encourage children to learn how to read as early as they can by giving reading kits to parents.
According to Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Family and Childhood Development Minister Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, a child could learn how to read as early as when they are still babies.
Thus, the government hopes to reach out to parents everywhere as they can help develop their children’s interest in literature, she said.
One of the benefits of having children who can read at an early age, she pointed out, is that it can contribute to their knowledge development and skills.
She also said the government has taken a few steps to ensure that children in Sarawak develop their love for reading and literature and one of them is by giving parents reading kits.
“This kit should be used by parents, especially mothers, to spend time with their children. It is specifically tailored for children who are still babies too,” she added.
Fatimah was speaking to reporters during a press conference and reading kit handing- over ceremony at the Sarawak General
This kit should be used by parents, especially mothers, to spend time with their children. It is specifically tailored for children who are still babies too.
Hospital (SGH) yesterday.
During the event, a total of 70 mothers at the SGH maternity ward received reading kits known as ‘Reading Seeds Kit’.
The reading kit distribution was a joint effort by the SGH, the State Library and the state Health Department.
While distributing the kits, Fatimah revealed that the programme is the continuation of the ‘Born to Read’ programme organised by the State Library since 2004 to promote early literacy among children.
“Each baby born at public hospitals or clinics must be given one Reading Seeds Kit before they are allowed to go home. It contains baby books with a special manual for parents and information about the nearest library where parents can get assistance or even register as members if they need to,” she said.
Apart from that, she mentioned that the programme will continue for as long as it can to ensure that Sarawak is a literate community.
For more information on the Reading Seeds Kit or Born to Read programmes, contact Izaruddin Moss or Ainie Umairah Lee at 082- 442000 (extension 319/241) or e-mail izaruddin@sarawak.gov. my and/or leemc2@ sarawak.gov. my.
A lso present during the ceremony were State Library chief executive officer Rashidah Bolhassan, SGH director Dr Chin Zin Hing and state Health Department deputy director Dr Kamarudin Lajim.
Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Family and Childhood Development Minister