Minister Marais encourages reading to children for World Read Aloud day

World Read Aloud day is celebrated on 01 February and Anroux Marais, the Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport, encourages all people to read aloud to young people, not just on this day but every day.

This day is celebrated particularly to highlight the importance of reading aloud to young children and babies, as a means of encouraging good cognitive development, to tell stories and to instill a love of reading at a young age. Research has shown that children who are read to, and who read, perform better at school, have improved concentration and memory, have wide vocabularies and show stronger comprehension skills. Parents and caregivers can help children on their road to future success by reading aloud to them and encouraging them to be readers.

Minister Marais said: “Reading is a step to a magical journey, where children can travel to many different places without leaving their home. Reading also equips our children to be successful at school and to reaching success in their adult lives. Through our library service, we support children with reading groups and safe spaces where they can get lost in the joy of books. I call on all parents and caregivers to do the same at home.”

The Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport continues to support libraries across the province to be able to offer all communities the opportunities to access books for free on a regular basis.