Early Childhood Development Centres in the informal parts of Windhoek benefited from a series of book donations designed to support children's social and emotional development.
The launch of the books was held at Happy Kids Kindergarten in Goreangab.
The storybooks are designed to support the social and emotional development of children while promoting literacy and a love of reading.
The innovative storybooks aimed at children aged 3–10 years old are crafted to address key aspects of socio-emotional learning, including self-awareness, empathy, emotional regulation, and relationship skills.
Each story is thoughtfully written to engage young readers and provide them with tools to navigate their feelings and interactions positively and constructively.
"On behalf of the centres that received the library boxes today, we express our sincere gratitude to Development Workshop Namibia for recognising the need and providing support," says Happy Kids Kindergarten Head, Lufina Kamoso.
The Honorary Consul General of the Swiss Embassy, Urs Gamma, says, "Reading is envaluable, and it is for this reason that the embassy of Switzerland should support the play-all programme." We believe reading opens up the world to the children—a world they would not have accepted before."
Early childhood is a period of rapid brain and body growth, therefore, early development is essential for a child's overall well-being.
Ninety percent of a child's brain is said to develop before the age of five.
Hence, reading to children and fostering a love of books significantly enhance their cognitive and emotional growth.
Therefore, Hilma Weber, the author of the children's books, stressed the importance of collective efforts to raise inquisitive children.
"As we celebrate the launch of this book today, let us remember that fostering a love for reading is a collective effort; it requires the involvement of both parents and not only the schools and ECD centres. By working together, we are raising a generation of children who will love reading and who will also be equipped for lifelong learning."
The Play for All programme by the Development Workshop of Namibia, at the forefront of launching the children's books, offers ECD interventions in the informal settlements of Namibian towns.