This month, the DO MORE FOUNDATION is shining a spotlight on the parents of Nkomazi and their pivotal role in fostering a love for reading in young children with books that celebrate their language, culture, and heritage.

Read and Play at Home is a collaborative programme designed to highlight the importance of using locally relevant language and cultural context in early learning resources, especially in reading and picture books. The programme is rooted in the belief that a child’s development is most successful when parents and Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres work together in a supportive partnership.

Empowering Parents as Primary Caregivers in Early Learning and Development

A child’s early years (birth to five) are a crucial time for development, with language, culture, and heritage playing an essential role in shaping young minds. By actively participating in their children’s linguistic foundation, parents can foster a sense of identity, belonging, and cognitive growth.

Jabu Mthembu-Dlamini, Community Programmes Lead at the DO MORE FOUNDATION’s Nkomazi office, explains: “Parents have a profound impact on their child’s early development when they dedicate time each day to read with them. The Read and Play at Home programme supports this by integrating the family’s primary and secondary languages, along with culturally relevant stories. This approach promotes cognitive and linguistic development while also strengthening identity, empathy, and academic success. Through initiatives like this, parents can help their children flourish in a diverse and interconnected world.”

Since 2022, Read and Play at Home has reached 2,235 parents in Nkomazi, providing them with the training, support, and resources needed to establish reading corners at home. This success stems from a collaboration between the DO MORE FOUNDATION (founded by RCL FOODS), Book Dash (supported by MySchool), Lulamaphiko, and the Institute of Training and Education for Capacity-building (ITEC). The next programme target in Nkomazi aims to reach 1,574 parents in 2024.

Building Strong Connections Between ECD Practitioners, Parents, and Young Children

Eden Mabila, an ECD practitioner in Nkomazi, highlights the programme's impact: “Parents now see the value of being actively involved in their children’s education from an early age. They understand their role in supporting literacy and learning at home, leading to greater engagement in classroom activities and more enthusiasm from children towards reading. This shift is laying a stronger foundation for children’s literacy development.”

How the Programme Empowers Parents

1. Training: Parents are trained in the importance of reading and interactive play, using resources provided by Book Dash and supported by Lulamaphiko and DO MORE.
2. Book Distribution: Parents who attend the training receive three Book Dash books to start their home bookshelf—two in their native language and one wordless book to inspire storytelling with their children.
3. Ongoing Support: Parents benefit from continued support, follow-up, and feedback opportunities to keep them engaged and assess the impact on their child’s development.

Enhancing ECD Through Heritage, Culture, and Language

Nomthandazo Mashele, a parent participant, has seen the benefits firsthand: “My favourite Book Dash books are ‘Toast’ and ‘Lilanga Lelihle’ because my child relates to the everyday experiences in these stories, like eating toast and playing with friends. Now, my child shares educational moments and starts conversations about the stories we read together, even extending curiosity to other daily encounters like news and adverts. The programme has strengthened our bond and deepened our communication.”

The Impact of Heritage, Culture, and Language

1. Cognitive and Linguistic Benefits: Storytelling and cultural narratives enrich vocabulary and comprehension skills, fostering a love for reading and learning.
2. Social and Emotional Growth: A strong connection to cultural heritage provides children with emotional security and a sense of continuity.
3. Importance of Reading and Playing: Early reading with parents prepares children for formal literacy instruction, while playtime develops social skills, self-control, and cognitive flexibility.

Expanding Impact Across Regions

The Read and Play at Home programme has also made a difference in Worcester (Western Cape) and Pongola (KwaZulu-Natal), impacting 2,100 and 2,451 parents, respectively, since 2022.

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? Empowering Parents to Cultivate Literacy Skills!
The DO MORE FOUNDATION’s Read and Play at Home programme celebrates parents in Nkomazi and their vital role in early childhood literacy, using proudly South African books that highlight language and culture. Join the journey of empowering future generations!

#DoMoreFoundation #EarlyChildhoodDevelopment #Nkomazi #ReadAndPlayAtHome #BookDash #SouthAfricanBooks #ChildLiteracy #Education