Teachers shares 5 tips to help your child develop a love for reading
September 8 marks International Literacy Day, and we spoke to language teacher Kabelo Sethe about simple ways parents can help their children develop a love for reading at home.
South Africa continues to face a literacy crisis, with concerning numbers of children struggling to read and understand age-appropriate texts.
A recent report by the Department of Basic Education found that in some languages, 25% of Grade 3 learners could not read a single word, while 15% scored zero in recent reading assessments. Another report by the University of the western Cape found that 81% of Grade 4 learners could not read for meaning in any language.
With these statistics highlighting the challenges facing young learners, more needs to be done to encourage children to develop a love for reading from an early age.
Kabelo Sethe, a language teacher at Westrand Private School, shared practical tips parents can use at home to help make reading an enjoyable part of their children’s lives.
Let your children see you reading
Parents can play an important role in developing a love for reading simply by making reading part of their own routine. Children can be encouraged to read when they see their parents enjoying books, newspapers or other reading material.
Sethe says parents who are passionate about reading can inspire their children to make time for books.
"Children usually get encouraged from their parents. So if they see their mom or dad reading, they will also want to learn to read and write," says the teacher.
Give them a physical book
While phones and other devices can be useful learning tools, Sethe encourages parents to give children physical books to help them concentrate without the distractions that can come with social media and other apps.
“Instead of letting them use their phones, because nowadays children just love being on their phones, we encourage parents to buy physical copy of books. This will help the children to focus instead of logging in and being exposed to other apps,” says Kabelo.
Talk to them about what they are reading
Reading does not have to be something children do alone. Parents can make the experience more engaging by asking questions about the story and encouraging their children to share their thoughts.
Sethe recommends asking questions such as:
“What is happening in this book? What’s your favourite part? If you were the writer, how would you write the story?”
She says these conversations can help learners think outside the box and explore their imagination.
Start reading with them from a young age
Parents do not have to wait until their children can read independently before introducing them to books.
Reading bedtime stories and other books to young children can help introduce them to a culture of reading from an early age. Making books part of their everyday lives can help children associate reading with quality time, storytelling and enjoyment.
Create a reading routine at home
Parents can also make reading part of the family’s routine. Whether it is setting aside time before bed, during the weekend or at another convenient time, having a dedicated period for reading can show children that it is an important part of family life.
Making reading a regular family activity can also help children develop consistency and see that their parents take reading seriously.
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