Fostering a passion for reading in children

'Qamrinu tfajjel ckejken, ta' spiss tarah mat-tfal' and so started a special session of the Aqra Mieghi/Read with Me programme on Wednesday 12th December.

Connie Agius, author of ‘Qamrinu u Stellina’ read the book to 15 children at Tbissima Childcare Centre, administered by FES, in Qormi. ‘Qamrinu u Stellina’ was specifically written for this programme.

The 'Read with Me / Aqra Mieghi' programme, supported by Bank of Valletta, is in its 4th year of running. It promotes shared reading experiences, focusing on early literacy and parental education. This national literacy programme strives to cultivate a love for reading long before children set foot in a classroom. It recognizes the crucial role of families and caregivers in instilling a positive approach towards books and raising levels of literacy. Reading is a critical indicator of school success. Passion for reading needs to be developed by parents and caregivers from their homes whilst exposing their children to books.

David Muscat, CEO National Literacy Agency said: "The 'Read with Me' programme reaches over 2,500 children aged 0 to 3 and 2,200 parents / carers each year. Over 70 sessions are held free of charge every week in Maltese and English in centres around Malta and Gozo. Our dedicated animators bring these reading sessions to life for these young children, whilst also providing parents / caregivers a chance to bond with their children in a learning environment. This is the success story of Read with Me, a literacy challenge taken on by our whole community and not just the Education sector”

Charles Azzopardi, Executive PR & Marketing expressed the bank's satisfaction to support such an important initiative that can improve literacy at a national level. “As Malta’s leading bank, BOV has a responsibility towards the community it operates in and is strongly committed to its cor- porate social responsibility mission. Education is very much at heart for us and we are proud that Bank of Valletta is contributing towards the investment of our children’s education and future.”

One of the mothers who was at this session said, "I was never one to read a lot, but through these sessions, my daughter wants me to read books to her all the time. It was difficult for me at the start, but now I really enjoy our daily reading sessions”.

For more information about 'Read with Me / Aqra Mieghi' sessions or to reserve a place visit Facebook page 'Aqra Mieghi / Read with Me', phone 2598 2999 or email aqra.storja@ilearn.edu.mt.