Council encourages reading in early years

Published on 22 May 2017

Kid reading.jpg

COUNCIL ENCOURAGES READING IN EARLY YEARS

MEDIA RELEASE

Gannawarra Shire Council has achieved state recognition for our early year’s literacy programs and services.

Director Community Wellbeing Mandy Hutchinson said this recognition is a result of the dedication and focus of Council staff on improving outcomes for young people.

“Council have achieved an agreed best practice standard of quality for our early year’s literacy programs and services which is something we are very proud of,” Ms Hutchinson said.

As part of the Victorian Government’s annual Premiers’ Reading Challenge for the Early Years, Council is taking the opportunity to encourage residents to share books with your children.

Manager Library Services Kerri Sidorow says it’s never too early to read to your children.

“Sharing books with your children from the day they are born is a simple way to boost their literacy and numeracy skills,” Mrs Sidorow explains.

“Your local library is a great resource for encouraging reading, and our staff are more than happy to assist in book recommendations or support for how to encourage reading in the home.”

Regular rhyme time and story time programs are also a fun way to develop literacy skills. There have been over 2,000 attendances at early learning programs (aged 0 - 4) at Gannawarra Libraries so far this financial year.

“Gannawarra Libraries also work closely with Maternal & Child Health Nurses to promote the importance of reading.  All children in Gannawarra receive a library bag and high quality board book on their four month visit to the M&CH nurse,” Ms Hutchinson said.

More than 8,000 children and families participated in last year’s Premiers Reading Challenge for the Early Years, reading more than 265,800 books. Children can be registered for the Reading Challenge online or at their childcare service.

The 2017 Challenge closes 8 September, and there are over 2000 books on the early year’s booklist http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/events/prc/Pages/booklist.aspx.  All of these titles can be accessed through our libraries.

For more information please contact Council on 5450 9333 or visit council’s website

www.gannawarra.vic.gov.au

…ENDS…

Date:  22 May 2017

Media contact: Katrina Thorne T. 03 5450 9333 M. 0409 616 627

 

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