Dramatic beginnings

Storybooks, comics, and popular children’s movies came to life at the Maria Holder Nursery School as they celebrated Character Day under the theme Developing Literacy Through Creative Teaching Techniques on the school’s Oldbury, St Philip compound on Friday.

Students delighted their peers, teachers and parents as they showcased their costumes which ranged from Princess Elsa to Bob The Builder. Two of the most unique costumes were of a jockey which was worn by Jadarri Francis and an owl which was worn by Mahkia Carter.

Principal of the school Sharon Knight said the event was organised to encourage children to read.

“Reading is important. No matter where we go, we have to be readers. We just wanted the opportunity to develop a love for reading [in the students] from an early age. When children can dramatise a story and get into the story, it motivates them to read more. That is why we have the story Character Day,” she said.

Knight told the media that Character Day was planned by the school since the beginning of the school term.

“We have a school library which encourages them to read, and we also got the parents involved in reading at an early age. Some people do not believe that children at this young age can develop a love for reading but this is the foundation and we have to make sure we have a good foundation. [So] that when they get older they can recognise the importance of reading,” she said.

The principal of the Oldbury learning institution told the media that the activities carried out for Literacy Week would be reinforced in the classrooms throughout the remainder of the term as they strive to help the students develop.

“We want our children to be the best, and to be the best, they must read,” she said. (LG)