Multilingual Story Supplements

Fathers play an important role in the lives of their children. The father of a child is not necessarily the biological father but any person whom the child looks to and treats as a father. Children’s development is strengthened when their fathers are actively involved and interested in the wellbeing of their children and families. There is no “right” way for fathers to enrich to the lives of their children. They can still make a positive contribution even if they do not live with their children.

Do you remember playing games with other children when you were a child? Did you love to sing songs or say rhymes? You likely had a lot of fun, and without realising it, you learnt new ideas and skills. All children need plenty of opportunities to play. Playing feeds their imaginations and develops their problem-solving, social and language skills. These skills help children become resilient, well-adjusted problem-solvers.

Reading together is an effective way for parents and their babies to bond and get to know each other. Reading together also develops the baby’s or toddler’s brain and prepares their minds to have big thoughts and ideas to help them succeed in the world!

People tell stories to explore ideas and to make sense of the world around them. Some of the stories we tell today have been passed down over many generations, while others are new ones that we create ourselves. Telling stories to your children is fun and satisfying for everyone. It also shows your children that you value spending this happy time with them.

When you next need to give a gift to a child, why not make it a book? When you give a book as a gift, you invest in the future of a child! Good books last for a long time and can be enjoyed over and over again by different people in the same family or home. Books for children can be found at book and stationery stores, supermarkets, second-hand goods stores, flea markets and in online stores. Organisations such as Book Dash, Wordworks and FunDza have books that you can read on your phone or computer or download and print.

Reading is one of the most important things that a parent or caregiver can teach their children to do. Stories feed our brains and build patience, self-control and empathy. Some stories can also teach us valuable lessons. But it’s also fun and something moms, dads and the whole family can enjoy doing together!

All children should have the opportunity to be literate. Being literate means being able to use reading and writing meaningfully in everyday life. A child’s literacy journey can begin with small steps as they experience the excitement of a story or the power of sharing their own ideas in writing.

Anyone can talk to children about books. Let the conversation flow naturally. Look for books that interest your child, and remember to start slowly, with a few pages at a time

Every family has stories to tell! Some of these stories might be ones that were told to you as a child. These could include stories about imaginary or mythical characters that have been passed down from generation to generation, stories about trickery or bravery, or stories that teach about the values of perseverance or forgiveness