Book Week 2024 – Reading is Magic
Book Week 2024 is celebrated from August 17th to August 23rd. It is facilitated by the Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA) and is its most significant annual event. This week-long celebration, themed "Reading is Magic," aims to spark a passion for reading among children by engaging communities through schools, libraries, and various organisations in
Book Week 2024 is celebrated from August 17th to August 23rd. It is facilitated by the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) and is its most significant annual event.
This week-long celebration, themed “Reading is Magic,” aims to spark a passion for reading among children by engaging communities through schools, libraries, and various organisations in diverse and creative activities related to children’s literature. Although officially set for August, the CBCA encourages extending the festivities to suit local schedules and to keep the spirit of reading alive throughout the year. The week allows children to delve into the magical worlds of books, fostering literacy and imaginative thinking. Participants are invited to utilise authorised promotional material on the CBCA website to help promote the event and spread the message about the transformative power of reading.
Promoting Literacy in Preschoolers
Literacy provides a foundation for success in life, allowing children to connect with others and develop essential life skills for independence.
Below are some ideas that can assist parents and educators when promoting literacy in our preschoolers.
Talk to your child, emphasising sounds, feelings and expressions
The more we talk to children, the more opportunities they have to practise words, sentences, sounds, and expressions. Using words to describe emotions broadens vocabulary and can assist children in understanding how they feel and how others feel. Young children may imitate facial expressions while learning to express themselves, a normal part of development. It is essential that we make time for meaningful conversations regularly to ensure that children have the opportunity to develop literacy and connections for social and emotional development.
Be happy to listen and repeat words
Parents and educators should be happy to listen to children about topics that interest them, asking questions and taking a genuine interest that encourages the use of different language. When asking children questions, ensure they have time to answer before stepping in. If they ask a question, you could respond by asking ‘what do you think”. If a word or letter is mispronounced, repeat the whole sentence twice with the correct pronunciation to reiterate the correction. It is essential to be encouraging and positive to promote literacy and a love of learning.
The importance of reading.
Reading provides an opportunity to learn sounds and words and understand that stories come from words. Describe pictures in books and ask open-ended questions such as, “What do you think will happen next? It helps children discover more meaning and opens their minds to possibilities, promoting language and problem-solving skills.
Making connections and meaning
Connecting between the stories we read and our lives allows children to make text connections. Reading stories also allows children to understand the meaning of new words and the context in which words can be used. The more books we read with children, the more opportunities there are for practising language in various contexts.
Practise literacy every day
As parents and educators, we have many activities throughout our daily routine that can enhance children’s literacy. Rhyming, books, music and conversation with active listening are just a few that can promote literacy among children.
Activities
Many activities can be used to build literacy skills and have fun along the way. Below are some activities that promote literacy at home or in the classroom.
Connecting Teams, Talent & Educators
Thank you for reading our latest blog. If you are a candidate, click to view our Permanent Jobs or explore our latest Temporary Opportunities.
If you are a client looking to find your next permanent or temporary staff member, Entrée Early Years can help. Hire or Book Early Childhood Staff today!
Reference
Related Articles
Discover the Benefits of Temporary Work with Entrée Early Years Recruitment
Preparing for Work in Early Childhood Education and Care in 2025
