Author: WεηchƔ

In September 1997, “The Nocturnal Wenchy” started her blog. The blog remains painfully real but these days she is more of an intermittent Blogger! 😉

READ Educational Trust

Celebrated on 3 February 2021, World Read Aloud Day highlights the importance of reading aloud and sharing stories; even more so for our younger children.

In a world where COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on life as we knew it, the Early Childhood Development (ECD) sector has been hit particularly hard. After months of lockdown, very few preschools, play groups and creches opened again, for financial reasons.1

Now, more than ever, even the simplest activity like reading aloud to young children is priceless in this extraordinary context.

Photos from World Read Aloud Day celebration in 2018!

Reading aloud also boosts confidence, helps children cope better with anxiety, develops memory and expands children’s worlds. It supports healthy brain development that forms a priceless foundation for success at school and beyond.

Early literacy skills include handling books, being able to name books, knowing how stories work, recognising sounds and letters, growing vocabulary and sharpening listening skills. All of these are imparted when a caring adult or teen reads aloud to younger children. 

Celebrating World Read Aloud Day in 2019!

Established in 1979, READ Educational Trust is a non-profit organisation that operates broadly in the education and literacy sectors across South Africa. READ works alongside the Department of Education to implement teacher training and literacy projects in schools.

Over the years, various tools have proven extremely successful in promoting literacy. The READ ALOUD MAGIC BOX SETS are vital in encouraging reading aloud, and all the benefits this activity holds.

Each of three box sets contains 12 beautifully designed books filled with attention-grabbing, adventure-filled stories set in Africa. These stories revolve around children and animals discovering the world in which they live.

These sets are a priceless investment, not only in terms of serving to build children’s vocabulary, but in terms of facilitating quality time with the little ones. Set A is aimed at children aged 4 – 7; Set B is suited to kids aged 5 – 8 and Set C is for children aged 6 – 9. All three sets are available online at http://www.thereadshop.co.za/. All profits are ploughed back into promoting literacy.

In addition, READ Educational Trust has a series of audio books which can be downloaded from the website : http://www.read.org.za/audio-books/ which parents, guardians and older siblings can play for children.  It’s a super affordable way of sharing stories with the family and mimics reading aloud.

Visit http://www.thereadshop.co.za/ and http://www.read.org.za/ to find out more and join the conversations on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/READEduTrust/,

Twitter: https://twitter.com/READEduTrust,

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/read_educational_trust/.

Reference:

1.  https://cramsurvey.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/15.-Wills-G.-Kotze-J.-Kika-Mistry-J.-2020-A-Sector-Hanging-in-the-Balance-ECD-and-Lockdown-in-South-Africa.pdf

The Perfect Child – Book Review

A page-turning debut of suspense about a young couple desperate to have a child of their own—and the unsettling consequences of getting what they always wanted.

Review :

Breathtaking. Just as I thought I had it figured out, the next dip in the roller-coaster was upon me. The book will appeal to woman who especially have a deep need to experience motherhood. It may be why you pick up the book but it won’t be anywhere near what you expect.

A Killer’s Wife

by Victor Methos

Fourteen years ago, prosecutor Jessica Yardley’s husband went to prison for a series of brutal murders. She’s finally created a life with her daughter and is a well-respected attorney. She’s moving on. But when a new rash of homicides has her ex-husband, Eddie, written all over them – the nightmares of her past come back to life.

Review :

I read and listen to many true crime podcasts and psychological thriller fictional books, so it takes something special to have me sit up and pay attention.

This book will appeal to anyone who enjoy courtroom drama’s and putting crime puzzles together, much like the series “Prodical Son”.

The characters are well rounded, developed in depth and each one forms a definite picture in your mind.

Mid way through “A Killer’s Wife”, I already looked up the author, and saved additional books written by Victor Methos. I cannot give a higher recommendation than that.

I wish you enough,

Wenchy

#nofilter beauty outside my door.


 I have been loving the rain. ☔
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 My severe toothache turns out to be an “angry” infection under a tooth. It is the most toothache I have felt in a super long time. So, antibiotics and painkillers.
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 The dosage of painkillers is making me tired but is very much needed. I’m seeing my lovely Dr Phillip from Fresher Breath Houghton again in two weeks. The most caring and gentle human who has access to very large needles. 
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 My little garden from Checkers is coming along beautifully. Apparently I’m really good at growing Sunflowers and Kale! If that is not ying and yang, I don’t know what is.
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 There seems to be a second wave  for the love of air fryers. #airfryerrecipes and are popping up everywhere! Mine is a number of years old already but I’ve used it maybe four times. Yes, I’m leaning towards Googling “can you make cake in an #airfryer? ” 藍
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#wenchytude
#AfricanHipsDontLie
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#microblog #blogger #flower #bulletblog

Manic Tuesday

I had a Monday of a Tuesday.

My day ended with a killer toothache. I can’t wait to see Dr PHILLIP. Love that man. Fresher Breath Houghton

The #americanelections ☠️ – that is all.

 I’m predicting seven goals for the Liverpool FC game. (5-0 close enough #ynwa #lfc)

 So much gratitude for waking up and seeing #teambuns BunsOut Burgers daily.

 SirNoid set out on an extensive exercise and weight loss regime towards the end of September 2020. He is going exceptionally well. I admire his dedication and discipline. Well done! Inspirational for sure.

 Ms Hayley Joy Shop is having a #monthofjoy instead of #blackFriday Hayley’s Joys is fabulous like that. I’ve got an impressive black based basic pieces collection, which we are now expanding into navy! I’m very excited by this. Ms Hayley made me a special cold shoulder top (my favourite, favourite cut) from fabric I admired. I look forward to showing it to you all!!

#wenchytude
#AfricanHipsDontLie

Awesome Nail Product Review

Dear friends and other interesting creatures,

I have been biting my nails for as long as I’ve been dealing with anxiety, so basically since conception.

The product I reviewed, Betadine Emtrix is not a product to help you stop biting your nails.

It does improve the appearance, the quality of your nail bed, protecting and treating fungal infections and hence… healthier nails with no discolouration.


I used acrylic tips for years to cover up the shame of my awful looking nails. As much as it masked my terrible habit, it damaged my nail bed for life. Betadine Emtrix is awesome at helping repair my short comings. How often do you get to do that?


I now have my own long nails. Regardless of stress and anxiety, I do not bite my nails if it is painted. A healthy base, produces beautiful nails I can enjoy.

I wish you enough,
Wenchy

Beetroot chips are evil

🌺 Sometimes the ride is not smooth, but functional.
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🌺 When I’m out and about and I see lots of cars, I always wonder where they are going, what they are doing and why they not at work.
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🌺 I ate a beetroot chip today and broke a tooth. Imagine. So healthy I am being and my body thanks me by assaulting a tooth just minding its own business. Tomorrow I’m eating Krispy Kreme Rosebank – no tooth will move an enamel. My body is extra like that.
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🌺 I’m putting my hair up daily because of the heat 🔥. Not my best look, but I hate the stupid heat.
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🌺 I’m getting into the groove with getting to know people, suppliers and what to ask for at my new place of work.
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🌺 I’m sucking at remembering names and am calling a guy who started just before me “new guy”. 😂 I blame Victoria. 👈
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🌺 Struggling to find a lekker Audible book at the moment. Recommendations welcome. Just no romantic nonsense, futuristic, sci fi or time travel zombie crap.
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I wish you enough,

Wenchy

My special ones.

 The children born from my heart. Blood does not a family make. Love does.
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Everyday I open the curtains hoping for a little overcast. 
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 Driving around town daily I am so aware of every beggar at the traffic light. I wish I could help everyone.
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 My skin is not looking wonderful. Not sure what I’m doing wrong or if it is just the mask / heat combination.
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#wenchytude
#AfricanHipsDontLie
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#family #mykids #blog #blogger #microblog #ThrowbackThursday #momlife #mom

Can’t hold the phone to write more

🧡 I spotted this from @blantons_bourbon on my travels today. Thought it was pretty cool.
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🧡 Lack of #sleep and an excessive #stress response has thrown me into a kick ass #fibromyalgia trigger. It feels like every hair on my skin, the very pores hurt.
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🧡 I’m doing this drivers test for my #insurance. Its kinda like Driving Miss Daisy but with no intelligent conversation. Can’t mess it up.
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🧡 @chanty_nailed_it from @hairandskinexperts1 did my #halloween #nails today. #Orange is not a colour I have played with often.
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🧡 Am so very thankful for my work at @bunsoutburgers   #teambuns rock.
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#wenchytude
#AfricanHipsDontLie

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#microblog #blogger #whisky  #topper #bulletblog #nailporn #fibro #drive