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MANILA – December 9, 2013 – Save the Children in partnership with the National Book Development Board held a half-day conference focusing on the publication of age-appropriate and culturally specific books for Filipino children in their early years. The conference, Manguna sa Unang Pagbasa (Lead in Children’s First Reading Practices) gathered book publishing experts, early childhood care and development specialists, and educators,
"Research tells us that when the children read early, it’s investing in their success in school," NBDB Chair Neni Sta. Romana-Cruz told adobo during the conference.
Sta. Romana-Cruz added that children who are familiar with reading or the printed word tend to succeed more in school. "Many of our children we know drop out of school or encounter difficulties primarily because they don’t have the basic reading skills," she said.
She explained that the First Read campaign will bring books for beginning readers, in the language the child knows best, to different communities. An essential part of the campaign is also teaching the community leaders and parents how to use these books, she said.
Save the Children United kingdom’s Education Adviser Joseph O’Reilly explained that the program aims to support both children and their parents as they develop early reading skills. "We often don’t think of children learning to read and being able to read until much later but actually they develop the skills that allow them to become confident readers from day one. And that involves parents talking to their children, singing to their children and sharing books with their children," O’Reilly told adobo.
At a minimum, First Read is a three-year program in the Philippines, with the first year almost at a close. "We’re looking at growing the program," said O’Reilly, adding that they will be moving into new cities and municipalities in the country, as well as producing new books.
Save the Children is also working in partnership with the government, ideally to replicate the program. "We think first read which involves giving books to parents and encouraging them to use those books for their children is such a good idea that it should happen across the whole of the Philippines," he said.
During the conference, Department of Education Undersecretary Dina Ocampo-Cristobal discussed the importance of coming up with more stories inspired by children’s experiences.
Meanwhile, Scholastic Asia director Selina Lee discussed publishing and effectively marketing Asian-inspired stories for children. "Regardless of how colorful our cultural background is, the story first and foremost has to be compelling," said Lee.
Belle Tiongco, senior vice président and chief marketing officer of Pru Life UK Philippines, delivered the closing remarks. "We have pledged to reach at least 125,000 children directly with our first read program in partnership with Save the Children," said Tiongco, noting that in the Philippines, 11 million children are not reading enough or reading at all.
After the conference, Save the Children officially launched its recently-developed books for children in their early years, including early childhood care and development age-specific story books Ang Espesyal na Araw and Beybi sa Banig. They also launched three informative booklets about children’s games from the Tboli, blaan, and Tagakaulo ethnic groups in Mindanao.
"We have a passion for the minority language communities of the Philippines. We love to see resources in the mother tongue so that people can feel like they’re empowered because there’s a book in their own language," said Jason Griffiths, director at Summer Institute of Linguistics Philippines, whose linguists help develop the First Read program.
Manguna sa Unang Pagbasa (Lead in Children’s First Reading Practices) was held on December 6 at Techportal in UP-Ayala Technohub.
