Pniel Library recently hosted a children’s reading programme in collaboration with the Stellenbosch Municipality Community Development Department.
This is according to Stuart Grobbelaar, communications manager for Stellenbosch Municipality, who said that the program was held in April, during the recent school holiday.
The program was aimed at 6 to 13 year olds, said Unine Alexander, senior librarian at Pniel Library.
“We included the younger visitors as well within the themes [through] age-appropriate games and stories,” said Alexander.
The Stellenbosch Municipality building in Pniel where Pniel Library is located. The Pniel Library recently held a holiday programme for children, in partnership with the Community Development Department of the municipality and Pniel Library, according to Unine Alexander, Pniel senior librarian. PHOTO: Casey-Lee Anthony
While this initiative takes place at various local libraries during every school holiday, the April edition included new interactive elements, such as safety demonstrations by law enforcement and fire services, helping children learn about emergency preparedness in an exciting way, said Grobbelaar.
The children’s programme is usually hosted at libraries in Groendal, Pniel, Kayamandi, Cloetesville, Ida’s Valley, and Klapmuts to encourage children to read, learn, and have fun through various educational and entertaining activities, according to Grobbelaar.
Alexander said that the programme was a success, as the overall attendance for both days was 141 children.
“We’re proud of the positive impact it’s had in our communities,” said Grobbelaar. “It will definitely continue to grow from strength to strength in the upcoming holidays.”
While Pniel Library hosts a children’s programme during every holiday, the April event included more interactive elements, such as demonstrations by law enforcement and fire services, according to Stuart Grobbelaar, Stellenbosch Municipality communications manager. PHOTO: Supplied/Stellenbosch Municipality Facebook
This year’s programme included new interactive elements, “Tuesday was a storytelling event, which included games according to the theme ‘My Body Belongs to Me’, teaching kids awareness of their bodies and how to spot dangerous situations,” said Alexander. “Thursday focused on kindness: how to be kind and show kindness.”
Each library in Stellenbosch is tasked with managing the activities set out for their holiday programmes, said Sarala Majudith, manager of libraries for Stellenbosch Municipality.
Outdoor fun
The purpose of this holiday programme was to engage in healthy and educational activities to help keep school children active during the holidays, said Alexander.
“This holiday program was created to provide a safe, engaging, and educational space for children during school holidays – especially for those who can’t stay home alone while their parents are working,” said Grobbelaar.
SMF News spoke to Marcia Williams, manager at Corporate Saver and Investments’ southern division, who said that her children are normally housebound and don’t often engage with other children in the neighbourhood, making this an ideal program as the activities and engagements were supervised by adults.
“I am working from [home] and during school holidays I am locked in front of my laptop,” said Williams. “The kids are left with little [to] do except watching movies and playing around the house.”
Posters on the doors of Pniel Library for various activities that were presented during the Pniel holiday programme. Each library in Stellenbosch is tasked with managing the activities set out for their holiday programmes, said Sarala Majudith, manager of libraries for Stellenbosch Municipality. PHOTO: Casey-Lee Anthony