Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis and City librarians shared the joy of reading at the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital on World Read Aloud Day, Wednesday February 5.
They joined representatives from Nal’ibali, an organisation promoting literacy, to read stories to children from the hospital’s wards and its Stepping Stones preschool.
The children also enjoyed singing, dancing and a puppet show.
“Reading is one of the most important things in any person’s life. It expands your knowledge, you learn new words, you learn how to express yourself and most importantly to explore your imagination,” said Mr Hill-Lewis.
He encouraged the public to visit libraries, saying, “You can take out books, explore your imagination. It’s a safe space to read and study, and it’s really important that parents read to their children and their children read to their parents.”
Stepping Stones teacher Gail Kearns said the children had enjoyed being read to.
“Reading will help improve their vocabulary and enriches their language. They enjoyed the puppet show as well.”
Children’s hospital CEO Dr Anita Parbhoo said: “Reading aloud is so important for children. We need to nurture the young minds and stimulate them, let their imaginations run wild. Also, the importance of them reading out aloud and hearing their own voices helps their brains with enunciation and learning.”
