We all want the best for our kids – the best opportunities to learn and succeed.
Early literacy is something we can all support by encouraging a love of reading in our kids from birth.
Local initiatives like Doug the Reading Bug have encouraged us to read to connect with our children in fun and easy ways – “Ten minutes a day – Talk, Sing and Play – Read a book today!”
This is because, research shows, children who are read to from a young age go on to have greater success not only academically, but in many areas of life.
A significant number of children start school with a speech or learning delay.
If children don’t get foundational concepts in their early years, the gap widens between those children who struggle and those who succeed.
Wouldn’t it be great if all of our children started school ready to thrive in their learning?
It’s all of us working together that makes the biggest difference.
Extended families, health and support services, libraries, playgroups, preschool educators, schools and community members collaborating to support our children’s love of learning from the start – both in and outside the classroom, sets our children up to be learners for life.
Train 4 School is a community-based program run across the Dungog Shire connecting families whose children are considering school in the following year.
Parents and caregivers are encouraged to connect fortnightly through Term 2 and 3, in an informal group setting to get information and ideas from a variety of health and education professionals as well as other parents on how to prepare for school life.
Starting kindergarten is a big step for the whole family – so children are encouraged through play to explore school readiness activities, while the adults share practical ideas over a free morning tea.
The first sessions start soon – 10am, Thursday May 11 at Paterson Public School (and then rotating around Paterson, Vacy and Gresford Public Schools) and 11am, Thursday May 18 at Dungog Public School.
If you share an interest in early literacy or you or someone you know would like to join in the Train 4 School Program, please contact Ali on 0412552546.
