Protected: Stories for Joy Test

A series of open-licensed South African storybooks created to:

• Respond to key calls in key research and policy to: Increase access to quality, age and context-appropriate reading for enjoyment materials (Thrive by Five, National Literacy Strategy and Plan, and National Reading Barometer).
• Strengthen the delivery of the National Curriculum Framework (Birth – 4 years)
• Support the realisation of the ECD Strategy 2030: Quality ECD opportunities for all and the National Literacy Strategy and Plan that acknowledges that literacy starts from birth.
• Provide concrete opportunities for play-based approaches to building emergent language and literacy skills such as creativity, critical thinking and comprehension, especially for the most vulnerable.

Intended use, distribution & access

• Print & distribute to ELPs and into home learning settings through innovative channels and partnerships (e.g. through healthcare touchpoints, with the RtHB, at libraries, etc)
• To provide resources to parents and educators to stimulate reading with very young children, build vocabulary, comprehension, creative thinking and support later literacy acquisition.
• Research widely indicates the catalytic impact of access to appropriate and rich reading resources, especially when combined with parent and/or teacher training. The books offer a perfect opportunity for public-private corporate partnerships, co-funding to translate, print & distribute to boost early learning opportunities and results in a district, municipality or province.
• Open license, available on DBE website and ECDinfohub.org, complemented by professional development, capacity-building and training opportunities and resources (training, handouts etc)