Garden setting for pupils to hear tales read aloud
“The readers played movement games with the pupils Atteirneh Beckett Teacher at Sir Lowry’s Pass Primary
READING stories aloud to children in their mother tongue at the Company’s Garden yesterday formed part of global celebrations on World Read Aloud Day.
From 9am to noon, NGO Nal’ibali, a national reading-for-enjoyment campaign; representatives and City librarians read stories to more than 200 pupils from six primary schools.
The schools included St Mary’s RC Primary, Manenberg Primary, Bishop Lavis Primary, Sir Lowry’s Pass Primary, Durbanville Primary and Mitchells Plain’s Imperial Primary.
Not only did the representatives and librarians read the story from author Lorato Trok’s book A Day to Remember, which Nal’ibali had commissioned for this year’s celebrations of World Read Aloud Day, they also led the pupils in song and dance.
In South Africa, World Read Aloud Day has been celebrated annually since 2013.
Sir Lowry’s Pass Primary School teacher Atteirneh Beckett said 39 children from her school came to the gardens and listened to stories which two people read to them.
“It was very educational as the readers played movement games with the pupils and emphasised that they must focus on listening, as the stories were about listening.
“For me it was a very good experience because the children from Sir Lowry’s Pass Primary seldom leave their environment in Sir Lowry’s Pass. So, for them it was also a big and exciting experience to come out of their environment to listen to the stories,” said Beckett.
Sir Lowry’s Pass Primary School pupil Sheldon van Reenen, 6, said she enjoyed being involved in the activity.
Nal’ibali chief operating officer Katie Huston said: “We ask all South Africans and everyday citizens to pledge that on this day they will read aloud to children whether it is at school, pre-school, or in their own homes and neighbourhoods.
“Reading aloud is an incredibly powerful and fun way to support children’s literacy development, and make sure that when they get to school, they are ready to learn and have a love for reading and stories.
“I think the way things went today was great. It’s fun, and the kids were here in a new environment in the gardens, which is a beautiful environment for children to get out and play in.”
She said it was important for children to hear stories in the language they speak and understand.