Businesses asked to support reading program

The Beachside Family Centre is to approach businesses on the Peninsula to support a pre-school reading skills program.

The businesses will be asked to have Book Swap Boxes on their premises and also to sponsor Baby Book Bags to hand out for free.

Centre facilitator Ms Debbie Notara said the centre's reading program was a great way to encourage and improve literacy skills in children aged zero to five years living on the Peninsula.

"Promoting reading in young children and helping to improve literacy levels in the community could well be an important step in lowering adolescent crime, drug use, improved health and employment outcomes," she said.

Ms Notara said the START (Sit Together And Read for Ten minutes a day) reading program was initiated by Beachside Family Centre.

The program encourages children to borrow books from the local library, play educational computer games, find new and fun ways to read for example through song, dance and puppet shows.

It also encourages parents to give books as presents to children, ask questions while reading and give positive messages after finishing a book.

The program has a number of community projects including Storytime in the Park held in Woy Woy and the Let's Read program aimed at improving the literacy skills of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.

A number of Peninsula primary schools have also undertaken school readiness programs for pre-kindergarten children to help for a smooth transition to "big school", according to Ms Notara.

"Primary schools have provided a range of exciting and fun activities where teachers have the opportunity to interact with the new school children observing and assisting them in their transition to big school next year.

"Rodney Thorncraft from Empire Bay Public School has been involved in the school's transition program called Baystart for the past six years.

"He suggests finding a comfortable spot, away from distractions, and encourages parents to sit beside their child and read the book together.

"It is vital to be engaged in the reading time together as it gives the message to the child that reading is important.

"Rae Campbell of Woy Woy Public School emphasises a routine or allocating a special time for reading and encouraging children to join in.

"Deb Hughes from Umina Public School also agrees, but adds that parents should be encouraged to read the words to their child allowing children to 'read' the pictures.

"Deb also suggests asking questions throughout the story to help children understand what is going on."

Ms Notara said staff at Beachside Family Centre were often asked by parents for ways to improve their child's reading ability before starting school.

"Remember the most important thing about reading is to enjoy it and always praise your child for trying."

Press release, 25 Nov 2008 Debbie Notara, Beachside Family Centre