Early childhood development received a major boost when an NGO distributed toys to more than 90 libraries across the country to mark International Literacy Day, observed on September 8.
Toy libraries are an initiative by Active Learning and Leisure Libraries of South Africa (Allsa), and should go a long way in benefiting children from poor family backgrounds.
Cynthia Morrison, chairperson of Allsa, says toy libraries are useful in promoting education through playing games. “Toy libraries are in the process of educating teachers and parents to help them understand the importance of playing in the learning and development process of children.
“If the future is to be meaningful for all cultures, fair utilisation of resources, such as toy libraries, is essential towards providing education and literacy programmes even from the very pre-primary and the foundation phases.”
Morrison says the programme dovetailed with the theme of September 8, that is observed under the auspices of Unesco. On that day outgoing Unesco director general Federico Mayor said despite the current global improvement of literacy, more campaigns on the matter still have to be carried out.