In 2013 Henro was in Gr.1. Close to the end of that year we were still struggling with Henro’s reading abilities, so much so that whenever we asked him to read it would end up in tears and a fight about the importance of reading. He was still sounding out each and every word. My mother-in-law suggested that we keep him back. The beginning of Gr.2 (2014) I decided to enrol Henro at Edublox, for his reading to improve and to let him keep up with the rest of the class. He wears glasses and I thought that might also be a reason for him to be struggling with reading.

Today Henro has started Gr.3 and is so enthusiastic about reading that he wants to read every little thing to us. Over Christmas he received English story books from his grandmother and on Christmas Eve he asked to read the English book to me. He started the book and as I sat listening to him, I got tears in my eyes. My sister-in-law (an occupational therapist in England) came and sat with us, and couldn’t believe her ears that the same Afrikaans boy who struggled with his reading a year ago has improved so much that he is reading English fluently. His confidence in reading has improved so much that he wants to read Bible stories at night.

Sumari Janse van Rensburg

Note on Henro’s photo: A stock photo was used.