It is an alarming fact that, in this modern era, parents and caregivers do not spend enough time reading to children or telling them stories. Story telling has many benefits and the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Institute of Psychology and Wellbeing will highlight some of these on 6 September by hosting a storytelling initiative.

Hanlie Degenaar, one of the Institute’s speech-language therapists, says parents tend to be unaware that emerging reading development starts before the age of six months. She says exposing children to story activities at home is the best way to help them develop a love of reading and to advance their reading skills.

“Research indicates that daily story time at home provides a solid foundation for reading success later. Story time is more than just reading a story. It should stimulate conversation, teach new words and encourage listening, fun and interaction,” she says.

“There are good indications that children who regularly deal with print stories get many benefits from it. Their confidence can be boosted, they gain an edge in language development and they develop the ability to think critically. Exposure to stories, in a creative way, also has a positive impact on young children's self-regulation and behaviour.”

During the storytelling initiative, dads, moms, grandparents, grandmothers and other caregivers can learn how to set up story time in a way that helps develop a love of reading. “It's an investment in the family, which can be fun and exciting for everyone. Reading skills, which are critical to academic achievement, start at home.”

Join the Institute of Psychology and Wellbeing for a fun day of information and activities to encourage young children in the habit of reading. The event will take place on the main lawn at the NWU’s campus in Potchefstroom and everyone is welcome to attend.

Programme

9:00 – 11:00   Toddlers reading and writing

Did you know that reading and written language skills starts to develop soon after birth?

Emergent literacy skills are essential building blocks in the integrative development of reading and written language development in young children. It is widely recognised that there is a pressing need for developing and optimising literacy skills in very young children.

11:00-13:00   Picnic

Bring your children and your own picnic basket, dress up as a storybook character and join in the fun! Listen to a story and follow the lead of the NWU’s mascots, Pukki and Eagie. You might win a prize!

13:00-15:00   Stories galore!

A child’s vocabulary and phonological awareness skills around three years of age are the best predictor for reading success later.

Language development, listening skills and shared book reading are powerful tools parents and educators can use to develop reading readiness in young children. However, parents and caregivers do not always have the necessary information at hand to use opportunities for encouraging their children to read.

For more information, please contact 018 299 1737 or send an email to IPWinfo@nwu.ac.za.