1. The Aga Khan University Professional Development Centre, North (PDCN)
Reading for Children (RfC) in
Early Childhood Education and Development (ECED)
September 10, 2018
The Aga Khan University Professional Development Centre, North (PDCN)

2. Ghizer, Hunza, Diamer, Ghanche RfC Coverage as Part of SIP

3. Reading for Children: WHY?
One of the strongest predictors of later academic success
Re-inforcement of positive relationships
in families
Reading for pleasure: develops language, literacy, critical thinking, communication, social and emotional skills (AKDN 2015).
Imagination and creative skills.

4. The objectives of RfC Access to books- stories
Enjoy positive family interactions
Strengthen parents/caregivers’ confidence - to support children’s learning and development
Readiness for reading and school
Reinforce emerging literacy skills
Sustain/develop literacy skills among
adults with limited literacy. (AKDN 2015)

5. Providing Support to RfC
Two libraries: (i) school-based and (ii) community-based
Provide books, along with bookshelves.
Build the capacity of a teacher and a community member to facilitate.
Train parents to read with children
Build teacher capacity in schools, through QATs, on RfC.

6. School and Community Libraries
No of libraries: Schools: 132 Comms: 110
Books provided: Schools: 1229 Comms:916
Ownership & management: school management & community
Community decides location.
Books issued times since 2016

7. Key Insights Emerging from RfC
Significance: illiterate parents’ contribution towards children’s literacy experiences.
Key role of home-community-school relationships in establishing children’s reading habits
More friendly relationships between teachers and students.
Reading for fun and without fear.

9. A Community Librarian from Immit, Ishkoman
Voices from the Community on RfC (Cont..)
A Community Librarian from Immit, Ishkoman

10. Impact of Reading for Children
Reading culture enhanced.
Parents’ motivation towards children’s learning improved.
Time for reading in school timetable.
Community involvement in children’s education.

11. Impact of Reading for Children (Cont..)
Students’ motivation, oral communication, reading skills, confidence and joy for
reading increased.
Enhanced positive relationships between
parents and children, as well as teachers.

12. A Short Video on ECED Class

13. Thank You!