Tau Laukonga, our new bilingual reading app project, has been endorsed by Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Sinaitakala. We are honored and touched to have the Crown Princess’s vocal support as we work toward our goal of improving literacy outcomes in the Kingdom.
Read Her Royal Highness’s full statement below in both English and Tongan, or view the original document here.
HRH Crown Princess Sinaitakala Tu’imatamoana ‘i Fanakavakilangi Tuku’aho
“Tau Laukonga Reading App” [Statement in English]
This initiative is one key milestone to children’s development in the era of information technology. I note a quote from Albert Einstein, “If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales” (Albert Einstein). The reading app provides exactly that – which is central to our children’s education.
Our children’s early exposure to reading, helps expand their understanding of language structure, tone, and rhythm, fostering both receptive (understanding) and expressive (speaking) language skills. The app provides an avenue to read with your child.
Reading aloud introduces children to new words in context, making it easier for them to grasp meanings, nuances, and proper usage. The interactive nature of reading — pointing at pictures, asking questions, and discussing stories—strengthens comprehension and critical thinking. It also encourages curiosity, as children begin to associate words with objects, actions, and emotions in their environment.
Reading is more than just a skill — it’s a powerful tool that nurtures intellectual growth, emotional development, and social connection, setting the foundation for academic success and personal fulfilment. “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go” (Dr Seuss).
HRH Crown Princess Sinaitakala Tu’imatamoana ‘i Fanakavakilangi Tuku’aho
“Tau Laukonga Reading App” [Statement in Tongan]
Ko e Polokalama Laukonga koeni ko e makamaile ia ki he tupu ‘o e ‘atamai ‘oe fanau iiki ‘i he kuonga koeni ’o e tekinolosia ‘o e ma’u’anga Fakamatala. Fakatatau ki he lea koia ‘a e tangata ‘iloa ko Albert Einstein, ‘Kapau ‘e fiema’u ke tupu hake ho‘o fanau’o ma’u ‘a e poto pea ke lau kia kinautolu ‘a e ngaahi tohi Talanoa Fananga. Kapau ‘oku ke fiema’u ke nau poto mo toe maama ange pea toe fakalahi ‘a e ngaahi Talanoa Fananga ke lau kia kinautolu.’ Ko e ’aonga ia ‘o e me’angaue koeni ‘aia oku mahu’inga ki he ako ‘etau fanau.
Ko e vaveange ‘a e fakahoko ‘o e Polokalama Laukonga ki he fanau iiki ko e vaveange ia ke mahino ‘a e fa’unga, ongo mo e fotunga ‘o e lea pea tupu ai ‘a e mahinongofua mo e poto’i lea. Ko e faingamalie eni ke ke laukonga ai mo ho’o fanau.
‘Oku hoko ‘a e lau le’o lahi ‘o e talanoa, ke lava ‘e he fanau ke muimui ki he hu ‘a e ngaahi lea ‘oku fo’ou pea faingofua ke mahino mo e anga hono ngaue’aki totonu ‘a e lea koia. Ko e founga koia ‘oe fetu’utaki ‘i he Laukonga – hange ko e tuhu ki he ngaahi fakatātaa, ‘eke ‘o e ngaahi fehu’i mo hono fakamatala’i ‘o e ngaahi Talanoa – te ne fakatupu mo fakamalohi’i ‘a e fakakaukau mahino mo e fifili. ‘Oku ne toe faka’ai’ai ‘a e vivili ‘o e fakakaukau ‘i he taimi koia oku kamata ai ke lava ‘e he fanau ke feangai mo fakafehoanaki ‘a e lea ki he naunau, ngaue mo e ongo ‘i honau ‘atakai.
Ko e Laukonga ‘oku ‘ikai ko ha founga ako pe – ka koe me’angaue mahu’inga tene tauhi ‘a e ‘ilo mo e ongo, ko e makatu’unga ki he lava’i ‘o e ako faka’atamai mo e lavame’a ‘i he mo’ui. Ko e lahiange ho’o lautohi, ko e lahiange ia ‘a e me’a te ke ‘ilo. Ko e lahiange ‘a e me’a te ke ‘ilo, ko e lahiange ia ‘a e ngaahi feitu’u ke ke ‘alu kiai, lau ia ‘a Dr Seuss.