Bridging Heritage Pedagogy: The Early Childhood Story Reading and Telling Event 2026

On 6 October 2025, the Department of Early Childhood Education at the University of Pretoria hosted its annual Early Childhood Story Reading and Telling Event, held outdoors by the lake between 2:30pm and 4:30pm. Coordinated by Dr Matlala Matthews, the event brought together by African Languages lecturers, Ms Poloko Masuelele, and Ms Phindile Zondo. African Languages students (Sepedi, Setswana and isiZulu) honored the event in their cultural regalia, embracing storytelling as both a cultural heritage and a pedagogical tool in early childhood literacy. 

The aim of the event was to embrace and affirm the cultural identities of African Languages students, by revisiting traditional storytelling practices as they were experienced in earlier generations. In African communities, storytelling once served as a vital means of transmitting wisdom, language, and moral lessons to children. By reviving these traditions within a modern teacher education context, the department highlighted how storytelling can still foster emergent literacy, comprehension, and creativity in early learning.

The lakeside venue provided a natural, relaxed setting that captured the communal spirit of traditional storytelling gatherings. Students participated enthusiastically, dressed in vibrant cultural regalia that reflected their linguistic heritage. Much as the programme featured story reading, storytelling, narration, and poetry, it also interwoven with traditional songs and dances. These performances showcased the dynamic link between language, rhythm, and expression, illustrating how storytelling engages both the cognitive and emotional development of young learners.

To deepen the sensory experience, the event included traditional snacks reminiscent of those enjoyed during storytelling evenings in the olden days. Although modern substitutes such as popcorn and fried nuts were used, they symbolised the nostalgic community spirit and simplicity that once surrounded African storytelling sessions.

A particularly striking feature was the inclusion of a radio, symbolising the evolution of storytelling, from fireside narrations to contemporary modes of listening through media. This served as a creative reminder of how storytelling continues to adapt across generations and technologies, while still maintaining its educational and cultural significance.

The event underscored the pedagogical power of storytelling in early literacy. Through oral narratives, children develop vocabulary, narrative sequencing, listening skills, and imagination. For student teachers, the event demonstrated that language learning is not merely about formal instruction but also about connecting with lived experiences and cultural identity. As Dr Matthews reflected:

“Storytelling allows our students to reconnect with their linguistic roots while preparing to use those traditions meaningfully in their classrooms. It bridges culture, language, and learning in powerful ways.”

The event inspired students to integrate storytelling into their own teaching practices and to recognise it as a culturally responsive teaching strategy. It also sparked discussion about how multilingual storytelling can promote inclusivity and language awareness in early childhood classrooms.

The department plans to extend future events by inviting community elders and local schools to participate in intergenerational storytelling sessions. The idea is to preserve the richness of oral traditions while demonstrating their relevance in contemporary education. There are also plans to record selected performances for use in teaching, learning, and research.

In conclusion, the event was more than an afternoon of stories, it was a celebration of identity, creativity, and pedagogy. Through stories, songs, dance, and shared food, students reconnected with their heritage while envisioning how such traditions can shape early literacy in modern classrooms. The event beautifully illustrated how storytelling continues to evolve yet remains a timeless bridge between culture and education.