Family members are key in helping children to learn and succeed
Story time is when dreams are created. Dominican Republic.
© Michelle Rahn
In the Dominican Republic, Odalis (on the left in this photo) learned to read when she was 8 years old. She lived with her grandparents who did not know how to read. With her cousins, she would try to read the book “Nacho”. They would help each other pronounce the words and put sentences together. “I think that is really how I learned to read–with my cousins”, says Odalis. Now she reads regularly to her children.
Father reading to child under net. Kenya.
© Georgina Goodwin/Vestergaard Frandsen
This little boy truly enjoys spending time with his dad reading him a story.
Adama’s mother taught him to read before he was enrolled in school. Burkina Faso.
© Adama Tiendrebéogo
In Burkina Faso, Adama started to learn to read when he was 5 years old, even before being enrolled in school. This was thanks to his mother who loved to read. “She was convinced that studying was the only way for me to make something of myself”, says Adama, who is now working on education projects in Guinea for an international organization.
This little boy truly enjoys spending time with his dad reading him a story.
© Jophel Ybiosa. Philippines
In the Philippines, this grandmother is helping her grandson learn to read. He will remember fondly these moments when he grows up. This picture and story –along with many others– were submitted to GPE’s Reading Changed My Life photo and video contest showing the importance of families in children’s learning.
The members of our families – parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins—are often instrumental in ensuring that we get the full benefit of an education.
They motivate us to go to school, push us to study hard and help us with homework. Even parents who did not have the chance to go to school themselves understand how crucial it is for their children to be educated. Some of them make sacrifices to be able to pay school fees, books, uniforms and supplies that their children need to learn.
Today, on the International Day of Families, let’s recognize the amazing role that families play in getting children in school and learning.
We hope you’ll get involved in helping children learn and grow, and join our conversation on Facebook and Twitter.