Reading aloud is the best way to encourage a love of books

World Read Aloud Day aims to break last year’s record by getting 1.5 million South Africans involved in a literacy drive

LITERACY organisation Nal’ibali hopes to encourage South

African kids to read this year on World Read Aloud Day this Friday.

Nal’ibali hopes to improve literacy rates throughout the country by encouraging kids and adults alike to read as part of their leisure time and is behind one of the biggest literacy drives in the country.

Managing director Jade Jacobsohn said: “Every year we commission a brand-new story and translate it into all 11 official SA languages.

“Then we encourage adults and caregivers across the country, to join us in reading it aloud to children on World Read Aloud Day.”

According to Jacobsohn, reading stories aloud is an important part of a child’s early development.

“The reading of a story out loud not only shows children the value of books, but starts discussions, builds bonds between the reader and the audience and motivates children to learn to read and enjoy

books beyond their current reading ability,” she said.

The main event will be held at Sandton Library in Johannesburg on World Read Aloud Day, with more than 200 children.

The event will be attended by children’s author and social activist, Lebohang Masango, who will give a multilingual reading of this year’s book, Where Are You?, by Ann Walton.

“Reading to your children is important because the benefits will follow them for their entire life.

“Not only is it great for bonding but you are also expanding their vocabulary, their knowledge, their imaginations, their ability to focus and confidently articulate their ideas out loud,” said Masango.

Last year, for World Read

Aloud Day 2018, more than a million people took part in the initiative and this year, the hope is to break that record and aim for 1.5 million.

If you’d like to take part in the World Read Aloud Day initiative, ask your parents to register on the Nal’ibali website, www.nalibali.org.