Research shows that children who read for pleasure, do better across all school subjects, including Maths. However, to keep children reading, it’s helpful to understand what motivates them to read.  According to American researchers, Kathryn Edmunds and Kathryn Bauserman, the following factors influence children’s reading behaviours. 

• Children are more likely to read a book they chose themselves 

• Children enjoy books that match their personal interests 

• Children are more likely to choose books that have exciting covers, great illustrations and action-packed plots, as well as books that are funny or scary 

• What they could learn from reading a book was important to them 

• Their interest in reading was sparked and encouraged by their family members (especially mothers), teachers and friends 

• Children were often excited to read books they had heard about from friends 

• Children enjoyed being read to by family members and teachers, even if they could already read. 

• Once they’d caught the reading bug, children continued to motivate themselves to read! 

Nal’ibali mini libraries contain a carefully curated selection of books designed to expose children to a range of literacy and illustration styles. Every library is bilingual in a bid to support a culture a multilingualism, and to help children build a strong foundation in their other tongue as well as English. “Providing families and classrooms with their own mini libraries is just one of the ways we are nurturing a culture of reading in South Africa. Nal’ibali stories can also be accessed directly from its website, in its regular reading-for-enjoyment supplement or heard on the radio,” explains Jade Jacobsohn, Nal’ibali Managing Director.