Read to Lead – How You Can Help Children Thrive

Grandmother reading to granddaughter and they share a laugh

At Uitsig Primary School, we strive to shape “joy‑optimally developed learners” within a caring, innovative and stimulating environment¹. Reading is at the heart of this mission. From early years in the Foundation Phase to learners fluent in two African languages, nurturing literacy is key to building strong, independent readers

Why Reading Is So Important

Reading provides the linguistic foundation upon which all future learning builds. When you read to young children – even before they can speak – you model language, rhythm and expression. This early exposure to books helps children connect reading with closeness and enjoyment, gaining a head start when they arrive at school.

Even when children begin reading independently, maintaining story time reinforces the idea that reading is bond-building, fun and comforting. If you are not confident reading yourself, telling stories or exploring picture books together still instils curiosity and love of books.

Preschools and early learning centres also play a key role. Reading, storytelling and exploring books at a young age build a strong foundation for school success.

How to Foster a Daily Reading Habit

At Uitsig Primary, we encourage every home to set aside a regular reading time – ideally about 30 minutes each evening – where the whole family reads quietly. When children see us reading, they understand it matters.

Tips for effective reading time:

  • Consistency matters: Children who read daily often outperform peers in fluency and comprehension
  • Choose a calm moment: Avoid times when children are tired or distracted
  • Sit side by side: It creates intimacy and allows you to guide fluency
  • Discuss the story: Ask questions about characters, plot and meaning to check understanding

This structured habit helps reading feel natural – a non-negotiable part of the day.

Reading Material Types to Explore

Good reading doesn’t have to be limited to storybooks. Magazines, comics or local library reads can spark interest just as well.

Consider these categories:

  • Picture books and wordless books for ages 0-5
  • Early readers (ages 5-7) to build skills gradually
  • Short chapter books (ages 7-9) and longer ones for ages 9-12
  • Young‑adult fiction from age 12 upwards

Uitsig encourages learners in Grades 1-7 to take part in iSizulu or Setswana as First Additional Languages – a unique opportunity to read in another language from a young age¹.

Let children choose some books themselves – they are more likely to read when they feel ownership of the choice.

Setting Up a Home Reading Space

Creating a cosy reading corner can encourage more frequent and focused reading:

  • Keep books within easy reach
  • Ensure the spot is well-lit
  • Make it comfortable—pillows or beanbags help
  • Keep it quiet and distraction‑free
  • Rotate books regularly to maintain interest
  • Allow reading in bed, increasing enjoyment and time spent

Even a small corner can become a treasured reading nook.

Books as Thoughtful Gifts

Books are gifts that grow with time, fostering wisdom, imagination, and calm. Uitsig encourages parents to give books as a gift in place of gadgets, particularly where books may not be a common household item. Owning books makes children feel they are valued and helps build a reading culture that transcends school.

Library and Community Resources

In 2018, Uitsig Primary received a mini‑library container conversion for Mandela Day celebrations, with book donations from Van Schaik and support from community partners². This has provided learners with more engaging access to books on-site.

Parents are encouraged to make use of public libraries and support children in borrowing books, even before starting school. These venues often provide storytime and other literacy activities for home enjoyment.

Local Literacy Programmes and Resources

South Africa offers several initiatives that can support your efforts:

  • Nal’ibali provides multilingual stories for all official languages
  • African Storybook publishes openly licensed storybooks in local languages³
  • Vula Bula offers phonically structured readers in African languages⁴

These excellent resources complement Uitsig’s African languages programme and support a multilingual reading environment at home and school.

In Summary

Encouraging your child to read – and making it pleasurable – is one of the most impactful things you can do for their education and life. At Uitsig Primary, we are committed to delivering a balanced education that includes strong literacy in both English and African languages¹.

Together, parents, caregivers and the school can cultivate confident, curious and capable readers.
Because at Uitsig Primary School, when children read, they lead.

For book suggestions, guidance on setting up reading routines or tips on using African language readers at home, please contact your child’s class teacher or our media centre team.

Sources

¹ Uitsig Primary School Overview
² DA: Uitsig Primary gets new library on Mandela Day
³ African Storybook – Wikipedia
⁴ Vula Bula – Wikipedia

This post was inspired by DBE Read to Lead.