The Centre for Health and Human Performance: Care2Kids at the North-West University (NWU) recently got involved in a literacy enhancement programme for young learners. The aim is to create awareness of the importance of family literacy activities for the development of learning, self-regulation, and executive function skills in children.

According to Hanlie Degenaar, senior speech-language therapist and head of Care2Kids, it is no secret that academic achievement is determined by a child’s reading comprehension and speed. “A learner’s ability to locate information, understand it, draw conclusions for ultimate problem-solving, and present information in a written format is essential for learning. These skills must already be in the Grade 4 learner’s academic toolbox. Concern about the effect on the learning, reading and written language skills of learners of the Covid-19 pandemic education restrictions is also a factor to consider.”

The Centre for Health and Human Performance (CHHP) at the NWU got together with the Saamtrek Primary School, whose staff are concerned about the reading skills of learners in general – especially in view of the fact that there are indications that 78% of Grade 4 learners in South Africa cannot read with comprehension.

“Reading development already begins before 12 months of age and is a developmental process that is promoted over time with exposure to stories and other emerging reading activities. Although several good reading programmes are available, the NWU’s CHHP and the Saamtrek Primary School have identified the need for reading and writing language development methods that can promote the forerunners of reading success,” Degenaar says.

An exciting project has been launched that will include all Grade RR to Grade 3 learners. “The aim of the reading project is to develop reading skills optimally as early as possible through stories and experiential learning. Data will also be collected to measure the outcome on the literacy development of learners attending the programme at the center.”

The project recently kicked off with a training event for education and center staff. The success will be monitored over the next few months. The adults had the opportunity to take part in the emerging-reading activities that will be presented to the learners.  “This forms part of the CHHP’s objective to promote literacy activities in families.  It was a creative and enjoyable story day for everyone involved,” Degenaar concluded.

From left to right: Marcu van Wyk (governing body chairperson), Pieter Visagie (principal), Meliza Fourie (facilitator and material designer), Hanlie Degenaar (speech-language therapist) and Linique Hanekom (speech-language therapist and project leader).