TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Page
Addendum A: Honesty Declaration 2
Addendum B: Checklist and Self-Assessment 3
Table of Contents 4
Question 1 5
Question 2 6
Question 3 12
List of References 20
1
,RDF2601 ASSIGNMENT 2 2026
DUE JULY 2026
QUESTION 1
1.1 Explain why reading is so important in the Foundation Phase.
Reading in the Foundation Phase is very important because it builds the foundation for
future learning and academic success. Reading helps to develop a child's mind by
improving their thinking and understanding skills (Rubbi Nunan, 2020:20). It also helps
children grow their vocabulary, improve their language skills, develop better spelling,
and strengthen their speaking and writing abilities (Rubbi Nunan, 2020:20).
Reading also expands a child's imagination and helps them understand different
emotions and experiences. Through stories, children can explore new places, learn
about different people, and develop empathy for others (Rubbi Nunan, 2020:20).
Reading improves listening skills by helping children focus, concentrate, understand,
and remember information they hear (Rubbi Nunan, 2020:21). It also encourages
creativity by allowing children to make predictions, draw conclusions, create new story
endings, and illustrate stories (Rubbi Nunan, 2020:21).
2
, Pretorius, Jackson, McKay, Murray and Spaul (2016:4) state that "the ability to read for
meaning and pleasure is arguably the most important skill that children learn in primary
school" because every subject and assessment depends on reading (Rubbi Nunan,
2020:22). For this reason, introducing children to reading from an early age helps them
develop important skills that support lifelong learning.
1.2 Discuss your understanding of a print-rich classroom and evaluate how it
contributes to reading development in the Foundation Phase.
Understanding of a print-rich classroom:
A print-rich classroom is a dedicated learning space that is bright and filled with various
forms of printed materials to captivate the attention of learners and allow them to learn
meaningfully (Rubbi Nunan, 2020:25). It is an environment where learners are
surrounded by words, labels, charts, posters, and other literacy materials that stimulate
and encourage incidental reading and daily reading practice (Rubbi Nunan, 2020:26).
According to Jacobs, Vakalisa and Gawe (2004), print-rich classrooms help learners to
extract useful and relevant information from charts and stimulate incidental reading. A
print-rich classroom includes clearly labelled corners such as the Library corner,
Reading corner, and Nature corner, as well as labelled objects like Cupboard, Door,
Table, Chair and Window (Rubbi Nunan, 2020:26). It also features phonic theme
boards, word walls, word and picture mobiles, and relevant charts such as Alphabet
charts, Phonic and blend charts, Days of the week and Months of the year charts,
Birthday charts, National symbols charts, Colours charts with names, Animal picture
charts with names, Nursery rhymes charts, and Numbers and number names charts
(Rubbi Nunan, 2020:26).
Contribution to reading development:
3
Section Page
Addendum A: Honesty Declaration 2
Addendum B: Checklist and Self-Assessment 3
Table of Contents 4
Question 1 5
Question 2 6
Question 3 12
List of References 20
1
,RDF2601 ASSIGNMENT 2 2026
DUE JULY 2026
QUESTION 1
1.1 Explain why reading is so important in the Foundation Phase.
Reading in the Foundation Phase is very important because it builds the foundation for
future learning and academic success. Reading helps to develop a child's mind by
improving their thinking and understanding skills (Rubbi Nunan, 2020:20). It also helps
children grow their vocabulary, improve their language skills, develop better spelling,
and strengthen their speaking and writing abilities (Rubbi Nunan, 2020:20).
Reading also expands a child's imagination and helps them understand different
emotions and experiences. Through stories, children can explore new places, learn
about different people, and develop empathy for others (Rubbi Nunan, 2020:20).
Reading improves listening skills by helping children focus, concentrate, understand,
and remember information they hear (Rubbi Nunan, 2020:21). It also encourages
creativity by allowing children to make predictions, draw conclusions, create new story
endings, and illustrate stories (Rubbi Nunan, 2020:21).
2
, Pretorius, Jackson, McKay, Murray and Spaul (2016:4) state that "the ability to read for
meaning and pleasure is arguably the most important skill that children learn in primary
school" because every subject and assessment depends on reading (Rubbi Nunan,
2020:22). For this reason, introducing children to reading from an early age helps them
develop important skills that support lifelong learning.
1.2 Discuss your understanding of a print-rich classroom and evaluate how it
contributes to reading development in the Foundation Phase.
Understanding of a print-rich classroom:
A print-rich classroom is a dedicated learning space that is bright and filled with various
forms of printed materials to captivate the attention of learners and allow them to learn
meaningfully (Rubbi Nunan, 2020:25). It is an environment where learners are
surrounded by words, labels, charts, posters, and other literacy materials that stimulate
and encourage incidental reading and daily reading practice (Rubbi Nunan, 2020:26).
According to Jacobs, Vakalisa and Gawe (2004), print-rich classrooms help learners to
extract useful and relevant information from charts and stimulate incidental reading. A
print-rich classroom includes clearly labelled corners such as the Library corner,
Reading corner, and Nature corner, as well as labelled objects like Cupboard, Door,
Table, Chair and Window (Rubbi Nunan, 2020:26). It also features phonic theme
boards, word walls, word and picture mobiles, and relevant charts such as Alphabet
charts, Phonic and blend charts, Days of the week and Months of the year charts,
Birthday charts, National symbols charts, Colours charts with names, Animal picture
charts with names, Nursery rhymes charts, and Numbers and number names charts
(Rubbi Nunan, 2020:26).
Contribution to reading development:
3
