Some stories were never meant to live only on the page. They were meant to be spoken, heard, and shared between people. Even now, in our world of screens and printed text, we still need stories to be told aloud. Reading aloud transforms words on a page into something alive.
Children hear how language sounds, how sentences flow, when to pause for breath or build suspense. Children who are read to regularly develop stronger language skills, broader vocabularies, and deeper comprehension. But beyond the measurable benefits, read-alouds offer something intangible: connection. In those moments when a child leans in close, eyes wide with anticipation, or when they laugh at a funny character or gasp at a plot twist, a bond forms. Stories become memories. Reading becomes love.
In Africa, oral storytelling has always been central to our cultures. From traditional folktales shared in mother tongue languages to stories told by grandparents. When we read aloud to children in their mother tongue, we honour this tradition while building literacy for the future. This week we focus on World Read Aloud Day, a celebration of the power and joy of sharing stories aloud. It’s a reminder that some books are not just meant to be read silently. They’re meant to be performed, experienced, and brought to life through the human voice.
So this week pick up a book. Read it aloud. Invite children into the world on the page. Stories need to be told aloud, and children need to hear them.