Family reading encouraged by Nal’ibali
JOBURG – Research has shown that families who participate in WRAD keep up a sustained habit of reading and sharing stories.
It’s the 10th anniversary of World Read Aloud Day (WRAD) on February 2 and Nal’ibali, South Africa’s reading for enjoyment campaign is aiming to see one million families commit to reading regularly to their children over the next three years.
With 13 401 children reached by Nal’ibali’s first call to action in 2013, the campaign was pleased to see three million children reached by their campaign last year.
The growth of the initiative suggests that South Africans have embraced the call to read aloud on the day.
This year’s goal places an emphasis on families.
Acting director of Nal’ibali Katie Huston said, “Where schools play a key role in teaching children the mechanics of reading, families play an equally key role in helping children to fall in love with stories and books. Children who regularly hear fun and engaging stories understand how books work and are more motivated and better equipped to learn to read themselves and keep reading.”
Research has shown that families who participate in WRAD keep up a sustained habit of reading and sharing stories.
Nal’ibali has selected the story, A Party at the Park by Mabel Mnensa for this year’s story. It has been translated into the 11 official languages as well as six additional languages, including Swahili, Shona, French, Chichewa, Portuguese and Lingala to cater for the approximately two million children who are foreign nationals living in the country.
Neighbouring African countries have also been invited to join the WRAD celebration – a landmark step for the campaign as it starts to build a pan-African resolve to get children and families reading beyond South Africa’s borders.
Visit www.nalibali.org or WhatsApp ‘WRAD’ to 060 044 2254 to make a pledge to read the official story on the day. Pledgers can choose to keep reading with Nal’ibali throughout the year by opting into its family reading programme.
The story is available for free download on these platforms. Pledgers can also share pictures of their reading aloud sessions online using #NalibaliWRAD2022 and tagging @NalibaliSA.
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