Fiji has long struggled with low literacy levels, a challenge that has persisted for decades for both educators and students. Despite the introduction of texts such as “The Silent One,” “Village by the Sea,” and “I Heard the Owl Call My Name,” which have been included in the curriculum since 1999, there has been little progress.
The Ministry of Education does not provide any early childhood education resources on its website, leaving a void in support for reading before grade one. Contrary to the belief that children are not ready to read at an earlier age, research shows they can learn to read sooner if provided the right opportunities. Unfortunately, the lack of formal training for kindergarten teachers in reading instruction and the absence of appropriate texts have contributed to this issue. Additionally, parents have not been encouraged to play an active role in fostering literacy at this critical stage.
While the emphasis on play in early childhood education is important, there is a need for a balanced approach that includes a focus on developing literacy skills.
An illustrative example of successful early literacy development comes from Laos, where children aged four and five were taught English and learned 220 Dolch sight words. These words, which include common articles and pronouns, represent a significant portion of written text. By mastering five new words each day, these children quickly expanded their reading abilities, supported by large print books that facilitated word recognition.
Inspired by this model, an educator returned to Fiji with a vision to implement sight word instruction in kindergartens, allowing children to be prepared for reading by grade one. To support this initiative, she wrote four large print books featuring local content and illustrations by local artists. Additionally, she created a guide for parents and educators explaining how to teach sight words through simple exercises and games, making these resources accessible in bookstores and online.
Parents play a crucial role in their children’s literacy journeys. They can assist by teaching sight words and sharing reading time, even if they themselves are not highly literate. Simple sight word cards can be made from recycled materials, and second-hand books can be a cost-effective way to expand reading options. Careful selection of books with large print and engaging illustrations can further encourage children to read.
As famously quoted by Dr. Seuss, “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” Enabling children to read one year earlier can significantly enhance their future opportunities.