From emotional and social development to getting a head start on their education, reading is a fundamental skill for kids. Here’s the story of Lethu and her mom Ntombi, who have made leaps and bounds in the world of words

Scroll through TikTok or Instagram and you’re bound to find imaginative content, but a two-year-old who can read full sentences? It may seem like a stretch, but adorable Lethukuthula Nongcebo Bhengu (fondly known as lethu nanas online) and her mom, Ntombikayise Bhengu have been pushing boundaries with the ABCs! But how did the toddler with the dazzling smile and heart-warming personality become a bookworm?

Starting at the beginning
It all began when Lethu was just two months old. Her mom, Ntombi, decided to start an Instagram account for her. Ntombi is a tutor with more than a decade of experience, so naturally, she wanted to share her love for education with her daughter. Since Lethu is a toddler, most of the content is educational and uplifting, aimed at her age group. ‘We started Lethu’s journey with educational toys and started teaching her seriously once she was 16 months old. Lethu’s always been an inquisitive kid. She is smart, logical and has a good memory. The reason we started her lessons so early, is so she can learn at her own pace without the pressure of learning at her peers’ pace when she starts school.’ Ntombi shares that the main reason behind the page, above sharing useful content, is to inspire other parents. ‘Kids should be taught how to read as early as possible so they can learn at a gentle pace. Most kids struggle to read because parents don’t have the tools to teach them. Teachers also have too many kids to attend to, thus making it hard for most kids to learn.’

Navigating the terrible twos
Ntombi shares that while Lethu enjoys learning, sometimes getting a toddler to learn can be an uphill battle. The key, she reveals, is going with the flow sometimes – and lots of patience. ‘Sometimes, kids, especially toddlers just don’t want to do what you want them to do. You have to figure out a way to convince them without threats or scolding, because if you respond harshly, they may begin to associate learning with an unpleasant feeling.’

Top teaching tips
Have you been struggling to teach your child to read? You’re not alone. It can be a challenging process and while there’s no one-size-fits-all approach, there are some basics you can try. Ntombi suggests starting out slow and taking it one step at a time. ‘Start with the most common letter sounds. Once your little one knows two or more letter sounds, make a word from those letters. Start with two-letter words, then move up. Make sentences from the words they know and repeat. Be patient, make it fun and teach
them while you play!’

When the going gets tough
Parenting can be tough and combining parenting with teaching can be even more difficult. Ntombi shares that patience is the key to teaching your child. Considering that every child and parenting dynamic varies. ‘All you can do as a parent is to believe that your little one can, but don’t rush the results. Aim to start teaching them at 18 months old. Keep in mind that they may only understand and digest the lessons once they are two  years old.’ 

Words by Aaqeelah Floris
Photography: Courtesy Images