Wimpy launches multilingual book drive for ECD centres
Wimpy has launched the "Read with Wimpy" initiative, providing multicultural, multilingual books to Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres nationwide.
The 2023 National Reading Barometer reveals a concerning trend that nearly 60% of homes have no books, and 65% of homes with young children do not have picture books.
Many children finish Grade 1 without knowing all the letters of the alphabet, and by 2026, around 69% of 10-year-olds are predicted to struggle with reading comprehension.
Educational psychologist Seago Maapola warns about the serious effects of poor literacy skills saying, “The academic, social and emotional impact of poor literacy skills cannot be underestimated – resulting in frustration, low self-esteem, declining academic results, and ultimately, poor employment prospects”.
The barometer also shows that many South Africans want to read, especially if books are available in African languages.
Maapola emphasises the need for early literacy.
“Learning starts at home and is then supported at an Early Childhood Development (ECD) level. It’s imperative for a child to listen to stories in their mother tongue to understand and attach meaning to what has been read to them.
“Reading helps develop vocabulary, reasoning, critical thinking, and creates a love for reading which improves educational outcomes and economic opportunities later in life,” says Maapola.
Wimpy’s "Read with Wimpy" initiative, launched at Uthando Day Care in Vanderbijlpark on Nelson Mandela Day, aims to address these issues. With award-winning poet and activist Lebohang Masango reading to over 250 children, the programme seeks to make diverse reading materials accessible to underprivileged ECD centres.
In partnership with Ethnikids, Wimpy will deliver "Wimpy Library in a Box" to ECD centres nationwide. Each box contains a book trolley with 45-48 South African folk tale storybooks in all 11 official languages, a package of five books for each child to take home, and teacher aids with activity sheets and comprehension questions.
These resources aim to boost phonemic awareness, fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary skills, and to foster a love for reading books in children’s home languages. Wimpy will also organise events at each ECD centre with a party, lunch, and a visit from Modise, the reading magician.
Jodi Law, Wimpyvbrand manager said: “Through our recent storybook campaigns, we have realised the essential need for children to access books in their own language. As a responsible South African brand, we are committed to providing children with relatable stories and characters in a language they understand.
“Give children access to books, read to them, and read with them. We must cultivate a love of reading in our homes, on our playgrounds, and in our classrooms. Literacy unlocks the world of potential for children and the magic of discovery,” Maapola said.
IOL