Keeping it simple

Showcasing the importance of play for young kids

Talk, read, sing, play. Four simple activities that can make all the difference in your child’s development and it is why the Words Grow Minds campaign was launched in Mount Gambier a month ago and why a Mount Gambier Library and Playgroup SA have joined forces for a free community activity this Wednesday focussing on the important of those four skills.

City of Mount Gambier children’s and youth services coordinator Kelly Lynch said the library has been running these type of programs for many years and it was great to have a national campaign to reinforce the value of the talk, read, sing, play concepts in children up to three years old.

“We are thrilled to be the first region in South Australia to benefit from Words Grow Minds, which provides us with a strong platform to support parents and caregivers of young children throughout our network,” Ms Lynch said. “The playgroup session will celebrate Words Grow Minds with young families in a fun and interactive way, encouraging parents and caregivers to talk, read, sing, play every day with their children.”

The Words Grow Minds campaign, which launched was launched last month by former Federal Minister for Early Childhood and Chair of the Early Years Taskforce Kate Ellis (ppictured right) as a six week pilot program, evolved out of research that showed children were not heading to school ready to tackle those early years of schooling.

Every four years an early Childhood census is undertaken and that was the key finding of the most recent report, meaning it was time to actively promote the value of the talk, read, sing, play concepts in every day family life.

The Words Grow Minds campaign grew out of that report and is the first all encompassing campaign of its kind, bringing all service providers, educators and families together to learn the value of the simplest parent-child time.

“We just want to make sure parents know that every moment they spend with their children is helping their brains grow,” Ms Lynch said. “It really is all you need to do. Words Grow Minds is somewhat of a call to action to get everyone together.

This Wednesday’s Community Keeping it simple Showcasing the importance of play for young kids Playgroup runs from 10.30am to 11.30am in the Cave Garden and will be all about the talk, read, sing, play with other parents and caregivers, with local early childhood educators and other service providers also on hand.

There will be a range of toys and activities on offer with Raising Literacy Australia also directly supporting the event, donating 50 children’s picture books, which children can choose from and take home.

The Mount Gambier Library offers similar early childhood programs four times a week at the facility.

“It is our bread and butter,” Ms Lynch said. “These type of programs are also as much for parents as they are for the kids. It gives parents a community to connect to and when parent feel connected that builds confidence and helps them feel like they are doing a good job. We will continue to run all these programs long after the campaign ends – it has always been a part of what we do and we want families to branch out and come to the library, it is their community centre.”

Mount Gambier Library’s Bek Coates runs the early childhood programs and has partnered with Playgroup SA’s Belinda McLaren to put together this Wednesday’s event.

The Mount Gambier Library is gearing up for a busy summer period with the return of the Summer Reading Club with the 2022 theme of Your Adventure Awaits, complete with a Treasure Map challenge, as well as the usual reading prizes and the wrap party, this time with a pool party at Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre on January 24 next year.

The library will also be inaugurating a Sensitive Santa program as well so keep an eye on social media for details, while the Under 5 programs – Christmas in the Cave – will also be running.

Event details:

Event: Community Playgroup – open to all to attend.

Date: Wednesday, November 23 Time: 10.30- 11.30am

Location: Cave Garden/Thugi Activity: A range of toys and activities will be in the Cave Garden/ Thugi for children to enjoy