JOHANNESBURG - As South Africa marks International Read to Me Day, literacy advocates are urging parents and caregivers to pick up a book and spend just a few minutes reading aloud to children.
It's a simple habit that experts say can transform language development, confidence and even emotional well-being.
According to Righardt le Roux from the Nal’ibali Trust, reading aloud from the earliest possible age lays the groundwork for a child’s future learning.
"When adults act as reading role models and read aloud to children from a young age, they start building the foundation for language growth," he said.
"These moments should be interactive and enjoyable, helping children understand and use new words rather than simply listening passively."
Experts say the benefits go far beyond vocabulary.
Shared reading sessions help children understand their emotions, develop empathy and build strong relationships with parents, teachers and caregivers.
Books can also help children navigate everyday challenges by introducing them to situations and feelings in a safe and supportive way.
"Literature can help children understand their feelings and develop sympathy and responsiveness," Le Roux explained.
"A positive, book-centred routine, especially in the child’s mother tongue, supports both emotional and cognitive development while strengthening the bond between adults and children."
Start even before birth
Many parents believe reading should only begin once a child can talk or understand stories. However, literacy specialists say it should start far earlier.
Le Roux notes that babies can benefit from hearing their parents’ voices while still in the womb.
Reading aloud as early as 15 weeks into pregnancy can help babies recognise voices and support early brain development. After birth, experts recommend reading from day one.
Author and literacy expert Mem Fox has long advocated reading to children from birth, noting that the brain is especially receptive to learning in the first five years of life.
The 15-minute rule
For busy families, the idea of reading every day may feel overwhelming.
But literacy advocates say consistency matters more than time.
Nal’ibali recommends the "15-minute rule": Set aside just 15 minutes each day to read together.
That short window can be built into everyday routines -- after dinner, at bedtime or when children return from school.
Parents are also encouraged to make reading enjoyable.
Let children choose stories they love, read in the home language, keep books easily accessible around the house and use different voices for characters and dramatic pauses to bring stories to life
Re-reading favourite books is also encouraged, as repetition helps children understand story structure and build vocabulary.
Turning reading into a community effort
Le Roux believes literacy development is not just a family responsibility but a community one.
Schools, libraries and community programmes play a crucial role in creating safe and accessible reading spaces.
Nal’ibali reading clubs, for example, allow children and adults to share stories in relaxed, informal settings that encourage a lifelong love of books.
"The benefits of reading aloud go beyond academic achievement," he said.
"It helps build general knowledge, encourages community participation and allows people to understand different cultures and perspectives."
Several countries are even returning to traditional books and handwriting in classrooms after finding that relying too heavily on tablets can affect literacy development.
"Children should see reading as fun, not a chore," Le Roux said.
"Be playful, ask questions about the story, act out scenes and even be a little silly. Reading aloud should feel like a performance."
And sometimes, he says, that simple moment with a book is all it takes to inspire the next generation of readers.