The notion that reading from a young age can ignite a passion for learning is widely accepted. Evidence has shown that early childhood education can have a profound and lasting impact on children's IQ, academic success, and economic achievement. This is due to the fact that a child's brain develops rapidly in the first five years of life, making it highly responsive to experiences and the environment, which forms the foundation for lifelong learning.
While cognitive skills are essential, research suggests that socio-emotional skills learned in early childhood can have a more significant impact on later-life outcomes. Unfortunately, South Africa has been struggling in this area, as the Early Childhood Centre Census in 2021 revealed. More than 42,000 early learning centers or programs exist in the country, yet worrying statistics show that many do not offer suitable learning materials and toys. For instance, 34% do not have a proper outdoor play area, 44% lack age-appropriate books, and 59% do not have theme tables.
A 2022 Focused Impact Report by Makosi's 10,000Kids Project emphasized that the quality of education in the early years is crucial. The study found that approximately 250 million children worldwide could not learn basic reading and math skills, despite spending at least four years in school. Hence, pre-primary learning is crucial for young minds, and reading is the cornerstone of this journey.
Through books, children can explore and discover new things, which fosters creativity and imagination. They can learn empathy and compassion, develop cognitive abilities, and improve their language skills. Therefore, reading in early childhood can impact their lives positively.
The SOOQ, an online e-commerce store, has a dedicated area for pre-primary learning for kids. They offer various activities, toys, and locally supplied books, including a reading corner with a dedicated category for this stage of learning. They collaborate with Story Café, a local Johannesburg bookstore, to provide access to reading resources needed by many in South Africa.
The founder of Story Café, Tamara Gordon, emphasized that embracing reading for meaning in early childhood development goes beyond decoding words on a page. By exposing children to diverse book characters, they can see the world through different perspectives and understand their communities better. Moreover, promoting and celebrating local talent can help inspire a new generation of leaders while providing young readers with relatable stories.
The SOOQ and Story Café aim to support parents and children on their learning journey by providing them with accessible resources on a local online marketplace. They will also launch live reading sessions soon via social media channels, featuring local authors. As Kayla de Jager, Chief of Sales at The SOOQ, aptly concluded, "Be present in these early moments of life, and the rewards for your children will be priceless and life-long."
