The day, marked annually on 5 February, calls international attention to reading out loud and telling stories to advance literacy and instil a love of reading. More than 400 children had the opportunity to hear their favourite stories read to them in the Company’s Garden.
The City’s Library and Information Service has teamed up with numerous partners to advance the objectives of World Read Aloud Day (WRAD).
Established in 2010 by the non-profit organisation LitWorld, WRAD has grown to rally more than a million people actively participating in local events in more than 100 countries.
The Company’s Garden event was a morning of storytelling, singing, dancing and face painting in which the City’s libraries partnered with the Recreation and Parks and Arts and Culture Departments, as well as NGO Nal’ ibali, Read2Rise and local schools.
Hundreds of learners from Sir Lowry’s Pass Village, Manenberg, Bishop Lavis, Mitchells Plain, Durbanville and the Central Business District participated in the event.
‘The benefits of reading to children daily, no matter how young, cannot be over emphasised. Apart from the boost to literacy skills and language acquisition, reading helps them improve memory and concentration. It’s also a fun way to entertain them as they learn,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.
WRAD is the biggest literacy drive in the country and aims to draw attention to the importance of reading aloud to children in their home languages.‘Reading reduces stress, improves memory and helps to strengthen bonds so there are benefits for parents and caregivers too when they read out loud. Other advantages are that it builds confidence and promotes a love for reading, while helping children develop a positive relationship with books,’ said Councillor Badroodien.
This year Nal’ ibali, which promotes a culture of reading, aims to read out loud to two million children. The City’s libraries are getting in on the act and have pledged to read aloud to either children, teens or adults at their respective libraries.
Other events at libraries include hosting storytelling sessions for pre and primary schools, while in some instances librarians are going out to schools to reach learners and help foster a love for books.