Cosmo City Primary No 1 celebrates reading through a play festival
“Our beloved characters, iconic shows, direct services, and outreach in communities bring playful early learning to children in the context of all the ecosystem partners that enable them to be the best they can be.”
Sesame Workshop International South Africa, a non-profit organisation whose mission is to help children everywhere be stronger, smarter, and kinder, together with Book Village, hosted a play festival at Cosmo City Primary No 1 School on July 24.
Read more: Fuel for the field: Nutrition tips for sports festivals
This year, Sesame Workshop South Africa celebrates a quarter century of impact, with Book Village marking its fifth year. The festival aimed to promote education and literacy through specially designed play stalls, hosted by NGOs and partners, including a reading corner arranged by Vumatel, a dance station managed by Thales, a language learning station facilitated by LIMU, a phonics game by Book Village, and a listening game with Sesame Workshop.
The deputy managing director and senior director of education and outreach at Sesame Workshop International, Mari Payne, said, “The play festival was a resounding success. We aimed to recognise the achievements of Sesame Workshop South Africa and Book Village in promoting education and literacy, and we did just that.”
She further added that the event benefited 89 Grade R children and 376 Grade 1 children from the local primary school in Cosmo City. “With the school having 2 257 learners, over 2 000 learners have seen improvement in their reading skills through the partnership with The Bookery [book depot] and Books Village, which has been run by Sarah Bradfield since 2021.”
Payne highlighted the critical need for development in literacy, with many South African children struggling to read for meaning by Grade 4, which hinders academic progress and future opportunities. Early literacy interventions such as the play festival are crucial to ensuring that children develop strong reading skills, enabling them to understand and engage with the world around them.
“It was a privilege to bring together children, volunteers, educators, and partners in a fun and educational environment, with emphasis on promoting literacy outcomes, which is critical as literacy is a fundamental skill that opens doors for learning and growth.”
By promoting literacy through engaging activities, Sesame Workshop South Africa and Book Village aim to empower children and foster a lifelong love of reading. Their partnership will continue to grow stronger, helping learners develop their reading skills while having fun with reading.
Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration!
