Encouraging children to read

The reading program is run by Kempsey-Macleay Home Start and Sow the Seed to Read, to encourage young children to engage with books.

Sheree Foster from Kempsey-Macleay Home Start said the program is continuing to grow in the community.

“We’ve been doing this for 15 years and this year we have been able to buy books for families in the Home-Start program, pass out books to children in Education Week and Book Week. This year we passed out 30 odd books during Book Week at Woolies,” she said.

Both Ms Mitchell and Ms Pavey each read to the children and spoke about the importance of reading in early childhood. 

“As the Minister for Early Childhood Education, being on the ground and seeing different programs in communities to encourage reading is really great to see,” Ms Mitchell said.

“Reading at a young age is critical, with 90 per cent of brain development happening between the ages of zero and five. It sets children up for a life of learning.”

Ms Pavey said the joint program between Kempsey-Macleay Home Start and Sow the Seed to Read is something to be proud of.

“It’s wonderful to see our community getting behind this program and encouraging reading,” Ms Pavey said.

Kempsey-Macleay Home Start also go to Kempsey West Public School each year, where they hand out books and encourage the students to read to their parents or the community readers, volunteers involved in the program.

“We do all of this to encourage reading. If kids can read, then the whole world will be at their feet,” Ms Foster said.

Ms Mitchell said the community program is a great initiative.

“The fact that this program is run by volunteers is really a credit to the community and the work they’ve done,” she said.