Bendigo Reads- Families

Sam the Story Tram – Top 5 Tips

• It’s never too early to start reading to children.
• Introduce children to a wide variety of books.
• Repetition – reading the same book over and over again helps to form connections in the brain.
• Reading stimulates imagination and helps children to learn about the world around them.

• Listen to music together – in the car and at home.
• Sing songs and nursery rhymes – use actions and puppets and toys to make it even more fun!
• Pause and wait for your child to sing key words in a song they know well.
• Check out Parent Child Mother Goose program together.

• Everywhere you go, talk about what you see – notice, name and describe.
• It’s never too early to start sharing stories and encourage talking.
• Encourage your child to join in or finish phrases with stories they know well.
• Play games like ‘I spy’, ‘peekaboo’ – make time for fun and connection.

• Involve children simple everyday activities – cooking, cleaning or hanging the washing out.
• Simple everyday objects like a cardboard box or washing basket can be turned into anything: a boat, a car, a rocket ship.
• Talk about what your child is doing as you play together.
• Join a local playgroup session. Find a playgroup near you – Playgroups Victoria

Multicultural families may wish to keep their young children connected to their home language and cultural identity while learning a new language. Please refer to the following resources as a guide.

• Bilingual Children
• Learning in School
• Koorie Early Childhood Education Program
• Aboriginal Early Years Support
• Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander: Cultural Activities book–
• Indigenous Education Resources
• Telling Stories with children

Activities and resources to help support children at home during coronavirus.

• Goldfields Library – library storytellers are regularly recording storytime sessions so children can read, sing and dance along to books, songs and rhymes online storytime sessions at home.
• Library In Your Loungeroom – provides a range of educational, entertaining and informative resources that are free and easily accessible from home.
• Staycation Kit – 10 simple ways you can talk, read, sing, and play your way through the day – for children aged 0-6 years of age.
• Free Subscription – a list of educational organisations offering free subscriptions – all ages.
• Protecting Children During Coronavirus – resources for parents including links to comic books and colouring in sheets explaining coronavirus – all ages.