Storytelling valuable lessons in holidays: Minister

Communities Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr said parents wanting to keep their children amused during the holiday season can look to seniors to offer some good old-fashioned entertainment – storytelling.

“As part of the Reading to Children initiative, local seniors volunteer to read stories to groups of children around the State and it’s proving to be a really exciting initiative,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.

“Since it began at the start of 2008, more than 150 seniors have signed up to be part of the teams who read to children at 11 locations in venues such as libraries, playgroups and parks,” she said.

“The Reading to Children program recognises our seniors’ wealth of experience, and it breaks down age barriers, while helping to give children the best possible start in life.

“Bringing children into contact with reading early in life enhances their language development, literacy skills and helps instill a love of reading.”

The Bligh Government is providing $2.1 million over four years to the Reading to Children program which is being coordinated by The Smith Family in partnership with the Centre for Community Child Health.

The Smith Family’s Chief Executive Officer, Elaine Henry, said Reading to Children recognised the importance of encouraging children to read from a young age.

“The Queensland Government is to be commended for supporting early childhood literacy and education and investing in children’s future,” she said.

School holiday sessions will be held at the following venues and times:

Brisbane: Kidspace, Chermside Park, Murphy Rd, Zillmere. Monday, January 5, 2009, from 10am

Sunshine Coast: Cotton Tree Park, Maroochydore, Monday, January 12, 2009, from 10am

Attached is a full list of Reading to Children locations for 2009; many of these sessions will recommence after the school holidays.

For more information on The Smith Family’s Reading to Children programs, call Elizabeth Sayers on 3308 9326.

Media Contact: Tony Reeves – 0439 781 886

Attachment: Reading to Children sessions across Queensland

Reading to Children sessions across Queensland
Most sessions recommence after school holidays

Townsville
• Townsville Aboriginal and Islanders Health Service (TAIHS), every
second Monday of month from 10am for anyone utilising the service

Mackay
• Neighbourhood Centre playgroup, Wednesday mornings

Bundaberg
• Hinkler Shopping Centre, third Wednesday of month (except school
holidays), 9.30-11.30am
• MINEEZ Young Mums’ Playgroup, Neighbourhood Centre, Targo
Street, Friday mornings, 9.45-11am
• Bargara Playgroup, Anglican Hall, Bargara, Mondays, from 9.30am
• Family Daycare Parents Playgroup, every second Thursday, 9.45-
11.15am
• IMPACT positive start playgroup, Bargara Road, Wednesdays, 9.30-
11.30am

Mount Morgan
• Playgroup, Mount Morgan Primary School, Wednesdays, 1-2pm

Rockhampton
• MOPS (mothers of preschoolers aged 0-5), Baptist Church, every
second Tuesday, starting from second Tuesday in February 2009,
10.45-11.15am

Ipswich
• Health Plaza, Wednesdays, dates/times TBC

Sunshine Coast
• Cotton Tree Park, Maroochydore, one Monday per month, start date of
12 January, from 10am

Zillmere
• Refugee clinic, Community Centre, most Tuesdays, 9am-12pm
• Community Centre also has sessions on first and third Thursday of month, from 10.30am
• Kidspace, Monday, 5 January, 10am