Little ones encouraged to read books at pre-school
‘We understand they are still young to read themselves, but this is the best phase to introduce children to the love of reading and education.’
Pre-school children were introduced to the love of reading and education by Tshwane deputy mayor and community and social development services MMC Nasiphi Moya as part of the celebration of the Read Along Awareness campaign on Wednesday/
Moya, who had promised to return after recently conducted oversight visits to four city-owned early childhood development (ECD) centres in Atteridgeville and Mamelodi, read storybooks to the children at Mmagobatho preschool in Mamelodi East before visiting other centres.
“The campaign was also part of a commitment we made when we last visited the preschool,” she said.
Moya said she recently celebrated World Read Along Day with schools and made a commitment to take the reading campaign to the ECD centre.
“We understand they are still young to read themselves, but we are going to our libraries to make sure we read for them,” said Moya.
She said this was the best time to introduce children to reading and books.
Moya said during her last visit to the ECDs, she was impressed with the level of care that the management, teachers, and parents invest in children’s development, despite limited resources and challenges.
She said ensuring access to ECD centres was important to the multiparty coalition.
“It is important for me to understand the teaching that is happening at the pre-schools and introduce a service we have in the department, library services, to them.”
She said as a bonus, that parents were invited to observe how the ECDs taught their children.
“Well-functioning ECDs offer solid foundational learning and development to our children. A strong foundation helps children develop the skills they need to become well-functioning adults,” she said.
Moya said city-owned ECDs needed to expand access to more communities.
“Our department is committed to working with stakeholders, including teachers and parents, to ensure high-quality early childhood education in Tshwane,” she said.
The Mmagobatho principal said she appreciated the deputy mayor’s visit, and believed it will bring hope and change to ECDs.
“ECDs lack many things, and we are glad the deputy mayor came back as promised and she is bringing change.”
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