P
aint the Blue Read is an early literacy initiative of the Stronger Families Alliance and is auspiced by Mountains Outreach Community Service (MOCS). The PTBR program began in the Blue Mountains in 2008 and is developed by a collaborative working party comprising early childhood teachers, librarians, community workers, bookshop staff, Rotarians and community members who meet regularly to plan, promote and carry out activities and programs that encourage early literacy throughout the Blue Mountains. The aim is to encourage all levels of the community to support the development of local children’s early literacy skills from birth and to make this lots of fun for everyone! If you would like to join the working party, ring MOCS on 4758-6811.
We have a blue and red logo and mascot called Billy Booksie. The big, cuddly mascot makes guest appearances through out the Blue Mountains wherever children are gathering for a story and a song - at Early Childhood Centres, Playgroups, local festivals and more. To book Billy ring 4758 6811.
The many FREE early literacy activities include:
- Simultaneous Story Time on last Wednesday in May in Blue Mountains Libraries and local playgroups
- Winter Magic Story Time held in June in Katoomba Branch Library. Appearance by Billy Booksie, rhymes, story reading and special magic winter story telling.
- Fortnightly story sessions in Leura shops – local businesses have caught the reading bug!
- Monthly story reading at Glenbrook Rotary Markets – check out the giant book worm and cosy reading tent. 3rd Saturday of the month at Glenbrook Public School.
- Annual Reading Week during National Literacy and Numeracy Week - Blue Mountains villages hold community story reading for under 5’s – in shops, schools, cafes even the fire station!
EARLY LITERACY TIPS
Read with your child from the day they are born. Spend at least ten wildly happy minutes every single day reading aloud, suggests Mem Fox, author of Reading Magic.
The first three years of life are the most important for your child’s brain development.
From birth, every time you talk, hug, sing and read with your baby, new brain connections are formed and strengthened.
These daily activities lay the foundation for language development, reading and good self-esteem.
Research has shown that if a child can recite at least 8 nursery rhymes by the time they are 4 years old then he/she will most likely be a successful reader.
Anywhere, anytime:
- Have fun with nursery rhymes.
- Play games together eg Peek-a-boo
- Talk to your baby and child about what you do and see
- Join your local library – you & bub
Read to your baby
Don’t ever stop
When he’s 100
You can let it drop!
Children Warm to Winter Magic Story Time
Local group, ‘Paint the Blue Read’ presented a very successful Winter Magic Story Time for children in Katoomba Library on Saturday 19th June. For the second year in a row the library was full of excited but attentive children listening to songs, stories and book readings.
The group’s now famous mascot, Billy Booksie, gave out a free book of rhymes and with his helper, lead the children in a sing-a-long from the book. Billy’s helper, Liz Smith, reminded the parents how important rhymes and songs are to building literacy and language skills.
Following Billy, local story teller Rachel Besser enthralled the children with two wonderful winter magic tales, calling on the young audience to take roles and make plot suggestions. After Rachel, librarian Sue Rein and community reader Llyndell Heuston both read engaging picture books to the children.
Paint the Blue Read is a project of the Blue Mountains Stronger Families Alliance and is auspiced by Mountains Outreach Community Service. Its aim is to encourage all community members to support the development of local children’s early literacy skills from birth, so that they will be ready for reading and writing at school.
The next big community initiative from Paint the Read Blue is annual Reading Week, this year to be held during National Literacy and Numeracy Week from 30th August to 5th September. Paint the Blue Read invites shops and businesses to join in and read stories to local children during Reading Week as building children’s early literacy skills is a whole of community responsibility. Many local businesses who took part last year are lining up again as they said it was lots of fun. Shopkeepers and business owners from Mt Victoria to Glenbrook are invited to participate so watch out for events in your local community.
For more information on Paint the Blue Read and Reading Week phone Mountains Outreach Community Service on 4758 6811.
