Six mothers and their children received certificates last week after completing a book-sharing course.
The literacy project at the Denis Goldberg House of Hope in Hout Bay was organised by the Mikhulu Child Development Trust.
“This programme is for parents with children aged 12 months to 5 years. We meet once a week for a two-hour session for eight weeks. We also offer the kids something light to eat as well as transport home,” said Denis Goldberg House of Hope spokesperson Lavinia Staddon.
The Mikhulu Trust helps to nurture parent-child relationships through reading activities, according to its website.
Each week the children get a different book to learn about throughout the course.
“Book-sharing is different to book reading – it is about the caregiver using the pictures in the book, rather than words, to share with the child an enjoyable experience of engaging with a book,” Ms Staddon said.
“This approach helps young children improve their language and thinking skills, it gets them involved in the story and encourages them to talk about it and ask questions. This interactive approach helps kids learn language better and also strengthens the bonds between the caregiver and child.”
Lecreashia Masemola said the course had been a rewarding experience.
“I went as a parent with my two daughters, Maliah, 3, and Aisha, 10, and hoped to better my relationship with my girls and identify their weakness and strengths… Now I know how to assist my daughters by being more positive and seeing things out of a little child’s eyes. Now Maliah reminds me every night about the book sharing before bedtime.“
Parents should learn to be patient and listen, giving their children time to think and answer, she said.
