Release Date : 04 Jun 2011
Singapore, 4 June 2011 – As part of its efforts to encourage the young to read, the National Library Board (NLB) organised the 10,000 & More Fathers Reading! initiative for the fifth time. Aimed at encouraging fathers to be more involved in their children's literacy development by reading to them, the programme has reached out to more than 60,000 participants since it was launched in 2007.
This year's launch event, graced by Mr Zainudin Nordin, Member of Parliament for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, featured a line-up of activities which combined sports and reading. Themed “Reading – Your Very First Gift to Your Child”, this year's 10,000 & More Fathers Reading! initiativetargets the aviation, property, technology and sports industries, providing support and resources for the fathers working in these industries which typically feature irregular hours, to read to their children. The NLB will partner these companies to rally their staff to participate in the programme through activities such as the multi-lingual storybook review cards which enable participants to pen their thoughts on the books that they have read together with their children.
Mrs Elaine Ng, Chief Executive Officer, NLB, said: “Inculcating the love for reading is one of the greatest gifts that parents can offer to their child. 10,000 & More Fathers Reading! initiative encourages fathers to read and bond with their children.”
As part of the 10,000 & More Fathers Reading! initiative, NLB will organise a series of reading-related events and activities for families over the next three months which include parental and reading workshops. NLB will also be working with various partners to promote reading. One example would be a collaboration with the SEED Institute to organise learning journeys for pre-school educators aimed at raising their awareness of library programmes and resources for pre-schoolers.
10,000 & More Fathers Reading! 2011 will run till September 2011. For more details on upcoming programmes, members of the public can visit 10000fathers.nlb.gov.sg