While at Crossroads School one morning, the publication was introduced to speech therapist Christien Neser, who, while visiting the school for their Reading Breakfast initiative, was left feeling encouraged by how the parents joined in on the annual event that celebrates reading and the love of it.

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“Reading should be part of our routine and as essential as having breakfast in the morning,” she said, adding more especially for children.

She hosted a talk in the school hall where children sat and listened as she advocated the importance of reading and how it can be a child’s secret weapon. “Reading should be something you do for better marks, also something you do for yourself to acquire this secret weapon that will be with you for life.”

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@caxtonjoburgnorth Christien Neser enjoys her time at Crossroads School’s library after sharing a morning talking to children and parents about the importance of reading. The speach therapist/book author briefly shares why reading is important and why she enjoyed spending time at the school on February 12, 2026. Video: Neo Phashe #Northcliff #Crossroads ♬ original sound – Caxton Joburg North

Neser, who is also a teen novel writer, also spoke to the parents that were in attendance that morning, reiterating to them the importance of reading to their child at home, especially before bedtime – taking away all technological devices at least one hour before bed so that a child’s brain can reset and that optimal brain processing can take place during the night.

Learn more about this speech therapist and writer in one of the paper’s upcoming editions, where she dives deep into her profession and her firm advocacy for reading.

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