The program was launched by Member for Parramatta, Ms Julie Owens MP, at a special event this morning. Ms Owens was joined by Nine’s 4.30pm national news reader Kellie Connolly and Eels player and father of two Chad Robinson who encouraged parents to get involved. Ms Owens said she welcomed the introduction of Let’s Read and the support it represents for local families with young children. “It’s wonderful to see a national program like Let’s Read made available to families in Parramatta,” Ms Owens said. “The program is an excellent example of what can be achieved through collaboration between community organisations, with support from the corporate sector.” Developed by The Smith Family and the Centre for Community Child Health, Let’s Read provides families with the information and tools they need to introduce their children to books and reading from as young as four months. UnitingCare Burnside will work collaboratively with Maternal Child Health services, libraries, child care centres, preschools, kindergartens and playgroups to ensure the program reaches local families with pre-school aged children. At the core of the program are innovative multimedia resources including a ‘how to’ DVD, tip sheets, recommended reading lists and an age appropriate book. These resources will be made available free of charge to local parents thanks to funding put forward by Shell Companies in Australia, the inaugural corporate supporter of Let’s Read. UnitingCare Burnside will also coordinate professional development for childcare workers, playgroup leaders and health providers, supporting them with resources and information needed to promote early literacy to families. Literacy-related activities will be offered in childcare centres, community houses, playgroups, libraries and other public places where families gather, so that all parents and carers in the area are encouraged to have fun sharing books and reading with their children. “The building blocks for literacy are laid well before a child begins school, so supporting parents in these early years is vital,” said UnitingCare Burnside Education Programs Manager, Dianne Nixon. “The DVD and tip sheets are easy to follow and will really give parents confidence to start reading with their baby, even if their own literacy skills are not strong.” With an estimated 1,800 pre-school aged children in the Parramatta area, the project requires significant financial backing to ensure all families will receive books and materials at crucial milestones in their child’s development. Frank Willsdon, General Manager, Shell Clyde Refinery and Gore Bay Terminal, explains why Shell was keen to be involved. “Shell is committed to investing in our local community and one of the best ways we can do this is by supporting the development of local children,” said Mr Willsdon. “Shell has worked closely with The Smith Family and the Centre for Community Child Health throughout the development of Let’s Read and we believe it has the potential to make an enormous difference to literacy levels across the country. We’re passionate about the program and are pleased that it is available to all parents in the Parramatta area so that their children can have the best possible start to their education.” The introduction of Let’s Read in Parramatta brings the total number of children currently benefiting from the program to more than 60,000 across Australia. -ends- Notes to the editor: Literacy in Australia ABS figures show literacy is a national issue with almost half of all Australians aged between 15 and 74 years (6.2 million people) identified as having either ‘very poor’ or ‘poor’ basic literacy skills, experiencing considerable difficulties in using many of the printed materials encountered during daily life. With strong links established between literacy, school performance, self-esteem and life chances, early exposure to reading is recognised as crucial to a child’s development and future success. According to international research, children who have not developed emergent literacy skills (the ability to identify and manipulate sounds) by school age are unlikely to catch up with their peers and face the prospect of limited educational achievement and poor employment opportunities later in life. About Let’s Read Let’s Read is an early childhood literacy initiative of the Centre for Community Child Health (a key research centre of the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute) in partnership with The Smith Family. Let’s Read aims to improve and measure literacy outcomes in Australia by encouraging parents to read to pre-school-aged children (0-5 years). Let’s Read is designed to be delivered to families by community-based professionals using research-based, emergent literacy techniques and resources. Let’s Read gratefully acknowledges the support of Shell Companies in Australia, The Telstra Foundation, Disney Hand, John T. Reid Charitable Trusts, and the Australian Research Council.
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