Reading should be part of every child and parent’s daily activities and can be something fun that parents can enjoy with their children.
This according to Happy Seshoka, the principal at Future Nation School, Lyndhurst campus saying they will be hosting Cosi- Cosi days at their schools to celebrate reading and improving self-discovery.
Due to its African-based education focus as well as the concept of loving all things African, Seshoka said the schools have adopted monthly Read Aloud days.
Read Aloud days is an international initiative started in the hope of helping to reach the worldwide target to read to one million children, one story at a time.
The principal said schools have given the initiative an African twist and named it Cosi-Cosi days, which translates to ‘Once Upon a Time’ in the Nguni languages.
“Reading can sound like hard work and something you don’t want to be doing after a long day at work.
Children might see it as a chore and something that may be boring but Seshoka has offered tips on how to make reading fun and said, among other things, it is to create a cosy spot for your reading time with your child. He said reading out loud is fun for children, especially when mom or dad use different voices for each character.
“It’s a way to build vocabulary, attention skills and comprehension, as well as, perhaps most importantly, a love of reading.
“Let your child help you choose the book you will be reading together – this will get them excited and keep them interested,” said Seshoka. “Point out the pictures in the book as you read as this allows them to understand and connect to the story.”
The principal said you can also help your child realise that reading pertains to more than just books, by encouraging them to get their hands on everything they can, including comics, cereal boxes and child-friendly websites.
For birthdays and holidays, he said give your children books, just as you would a toy and everything looks better with a bow on it. “To entice them even more, you also need to leave your kids’ books next to their beds and even sign up for a library card for them.
“Not only will they feel more grown up, but they’ll feel a sense of accomplishment and possession over their reading abilities.”
Future Nation Schools would like to invite everyone to join them, every second Friday of the month to enjoy African folk-tales and to educate children about their roots and lineages.
Details: Future Nation School Lyndhurst 011 386 2500.
