Pupils and teachers at Belmor Primary School Hanover Park dressed up as Mickey and Minnie Mouse, princesses, princes, superheroes, vampires and many more fictional characters in honour of World Read Aloud Day on Wednesday February 1.
Grade 7 teacher Charnelle Arendse, who dressed as Minnie Mouse, said the day had helped to rekindle pupils’ love for reading.
Opening a book was about breathing life into the characters you found in the pages within, she said, adding that World Read Aloud Day celebrated literacy while making connections in schools, homes and communities.
“I once heard a quote that says, ‘Children are made readers on the laps of their parents,’ and I couldn’t agree more. Parents should model good reading behaviour by reading a bedtime story, for example. Joining the local library provides free access to a kaleidoscope of possibility,” she said.
Hanover Park library staff read aloud to pupils and the pupils also read snippets from some of their favourite books.
Ms Arendse said reading could steer children away from joining gangs and a life of crime by helping them expand not only their vocabulary but also their world view.
“Children should read every day because readers are leaders,” she said.
Principal Carol Poole, said that World Read Aloud Day encouraged schools, parents, and children to join hands to lay the foundation for future learning.
“Learners at our school can read, but there is a lack of understanding/comprehension amongst some of them. Parents must read every day to their children for at least 30 minutes to create love for books. They can also join the library with their kids. Reading is an important ingredient for academic performance which later leads to workplace and so on.”
Grade 1 pupil Rhania Jacobs said: “I was Minnie Mouse and I loved to hear my teacher’s story.”
Grade 7 pupil Jiyaad Jabaar, who was dressed as Count Dracula, added, “I enjoyed the stories my teacher told us. The Nal’ibali story and the story of The Lion King was the best ever.”
Grade 7 pupil Onorina Siwundla, who was dressed, as Belle from Beauty and the Beast, said: “I loved the funny story that the librarian told us. I also enjoyed dressing up as my favourite book character.”