April 27, 2012
Did you know that by simply reading to your child for 15 minutes a day you can help “wire” their brain for learning?
With this in mind, the Barambah Parent and Community Engagement (PaCE) team is working to bring a culture of books – and parents reading to their children – into Cherbourg homes.
PaCE brought State school teacher Frank Malone to meet Cherbourg Family Playgroup members on Tuesday this week.
“Pop” Frank gave a short demonstration of how to read to children to keep them interested and explained how it helps them learn in later years.
Parents were then given a “Let’s Read” pack which included a Budburra ABC book, fridge magnets and a storybook bought from Lifeline or donated by the Kingaroy Library and South Burnett community.
The PaCE team hopes it will be able to set up a Swap A Book – mobile library.
Assistant coordinator Emma Stewart said PaCE would speak to the community to find the best way to roll out books and the concept of reading to young children.
Mum Vanessa Alberts chose “My Body, Time For Bed and Say Goodnight” for her daughter Jakyrah, 8 months, after she heard the Parents as First Teachers presentation.
She thought the program would be good for Cherbourg.
Shantelle Arnold wasn’t a big reader herself but had a large box of books at home.
“The babies grab them every day and their Nan reads to them,” she said.
Cherbourg State School principal Peter Sansby said reading to your child from birth was proven to have huge benefits.
“The more parents we get reading to children before they come to school the easier our job will be,” he said.
“Their brains will be wired to learn from the time they hit prep. School will be even more fun and they’ll be able to fulfil their full potential and lead a happier life.
“Learning starts from the day we’re born, not from the day we start school.”
