[JULY 2023] As an avid reader and writer, Kyle Jantjies has always been an advocate of reading for its developmental benefits for children. From growing comprehension skills and vocabulary, to improving focus and increasing general knowledge there are widely reported results that can be expected when children read.
More recently, as a teacher for the past 4 years, Kyle says he has increasingly noticed shortcomings with his learners’ creative problem solving, emotional intelligence and critical thinking skills.
“I’m a high school teacher on the Cape Flats so I work with kids on a daily basis, and more often that not, the ones that have learning and social challenges are generally not keen readers,” says Kyle.
“There is quite a lot of research available that points to the benefits of reading – particularly fantasy – making it an absolute must for kids to set them up best for their futures,” adds Kyle.
Fantasy stimulates mental resilience, helps to improve memory and aids brain development, as it requires your brain to interpret and analyse what is being read.
To this end, Kyle is on a mission to get more fantasy reading, especially from local authors, adopted as prescribed reading for South African schools from grade 4 upwards.
Kyle has launched a book club, where he has for years now been stimulating a love for fantasy literature by reading out loud to his learners some of his own writings as well as other authors’ content.
He has started engaging with government representatives to formally drive the conversation, but strongly wants to encourage teachers to innovate with reading fantasy in the classroom and to add their voices to the cause via their own schools to drive the agenda for fantasy as prescribed reading.
“Mandela Month is an annual reminder for us that it is in our hands to secure the futures of the generations that will follow us. We all want to know what we can do, but opening wide opportunities for young people when it comes to education and resilience is one of the best things we can do,” Kyle adds.
A famous quote by Nelson Mandela says: “Education is the great engine to personal development.” “So if reading helps activate the thought processes and understanding needed to flourish in education, then one cannot put enough support behind equipping young people with this very basic tool for personal development, this is my mission,” concludes Kyle.
To find our more about Kyle or to book him for speaking engagements visit https://www.kylejantjiesauthor.com.
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