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Early Literacy Skills Boost.Bass Coast Shire Council and Kilmany UnitingCare are working together on an early literacy program aimed at improving the early literacy skills of 0-3 year olds in Bass Coast and South Gippsland. By Bass Coast Shire Council - 11th September 2009 - Back to News The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development has funded this one year project to support disadvantaged communities across the two shires.
Council’s Community Services Manager, Liz Wright, said the launch of the program coincided with Literacy Week.
"Early literacy is one of the most important foundations for success in school and life," said Ms Wright.
"A poor foundation in literacy prior to school entry not only reduces the likelihood of later success in literacy, but also increases the risk of children ‘dropping out’ of formal education.
"We have started work on the project by bringing together a range of people with an interest in early childhood literacy including representatives from playgroups, maternal child health, family day care and libraries.
"From here we decided to work with South Coast Best Start project to support parent-child Mother Goose Programs across South Gippsland and Bass Coast.
"We are also looking into new programs that encourage early literacy development," explained Ms Wright.
One of the programs being explored is currently being trialled at the Warragul Library called Share-A-Book.
"Share-A-Book targets babies, toddlers and their parents to support language, listening and concentration development through books while building a bond between parent and child," said Ms Wright.
"With funding through the Early Literacy Project, the West Gippsland Regional Library Corporation will look at options for trialling this program in some of the libraries in this area," said Ms Wright.
For more information on the Early Literacy Project contact Liz Wright on 1300 BCOAST (226 278) or Tracey Gibson from Kilmany UnitingCare on 5662 5150.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com

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