#WeRead: Make lockdown about family, bonding and books (video)
Books Beyond Words is aimed at bringing parents and children together as a family around a screen to listen to the magic of words.
South Africa’s annual reading awareness week, National Book Week (NBW), dedicated to encouraging leisure reading and promoting the importance of books has launched an online storytelling event on Facebook.
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Elitha van der Sandt, CEO of the South African Book Development Council, said Books Beyond Words is aimed at bringing parents and children together as a family around a screen to listen to the magic of words.
Hosted every Saturday from 11am for 30 minutes on NBW’s Facebook page during the lockdown, the stories are narrated by a guest.
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“The event is an effort by National Book Week to provide support for parents who work in their home office and want to find educational and engaging activities for their children,” said van der Sandt.
“The lockdown, a first in post-democratic South Africa, is an unprecedented event in the lives of many parents and children and came days after President Cyril Ramaphosa moved to shut all schools, universities and ban large gatherings.”
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She added that families across the country are juggling work, care commitments and finding ways to keep children busy at the same time.
“The time spent together, listening to a story, as a family will definitely contribute to alleviating the stress of the lockdown restrictions.”
Last week, professional storyteller Bongiswa Kotta-Ramushwana narrated Aesop’s Fables The Ant and The Grasshopper and Sikhalanjalo, a traditional story.
“Combining her unique skills and brevity to bring the story to life, she ignited the imagination of many listeners.
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“The pilot broadcast last Saturday was viewed by over 500 families,” said van der Sandt.
According to Kotta-Ramushwana, tuning into a narrative, its pattern and its plot cultivates the joy of reading.
“We are aiming for twin objectives, encouraging parents to read with their children during the lockdown and at the same time inspire children through Books Beyond Words to embrace books and stories over watching television or playing video games,” said van der Sandt.
“Being active mentally has never been more important. Being cut off from all social interaction can be stressful and enjoying an activity, such as the live storytelling allows for enjoyment by adults and children alike.”
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While many sources like FunDza have offered access to digital libraries and e-books, reading, especially when you have young and impressionable children, is a shared activity so parental involvement is key to making reading fun.
Watch the April 4 story:
https://www.facebook.com/220614461314760/posts/2996904320352413/
