National Child Protection Week
It’s National Child Protection Week and at Paint the Town REaD we believe we can all help to create the lighthouses and safe harbours that families and children need. #playyourpart #ncpw www.napcan.org.au
Kate Arthur
A message from our Founder
Many years ago, I was principal of a country school. It bothered me that too many of our children had trouble learning to read and write. It bothered me into action.
In my school we made a huge effort. Best practice. It was a blitz. With great results, right?
Well, no. We had results, but they were not great. For all our efforts, the results were — as a teacher I hate admitting this — disappointing. This got me thinking. Are some children just doomed? Or were we missing something? I looked wider. What I found changed everything.
Study after study showed that a child’s ability to learn to read and write at school is set in the first five years of life. The first three years, in fact. School was too late. And what’s needed in those early years? Simple. Yet I could see that it wasn’t happening in many families.
Spend time with children every day, from birth — talking, singing, rhyming, reading — and you’ll prepare them to read and write at school. It’s from this insight that Paint the Town REaD was born.
‘Painting the town red’ carries the notion of celebration, of ‘doing’ the town, of saturating it with excitement and enthusiasm. That’s the literacy culture we want to generate. We pull together community groups, agencies and businesses, and we inspire them to integrate this culture into everything they do with (and as) families. And to keep inventing the most fun and creative ways to do so.
It’s a growing, nationwide network of people whose influence can change thousands of lives, long term.
Will you join us?
Rhonda Brain, OAM
2017 Conference registration now open!
6th Early Literacy Conference.
Climb every mountain: songlines and singing.
Paint the Town REaD Ltd together with our co-host, Paint the Blue REaD invite people interested in early literacy, children’s singing and collective impact in Aboriginal and/or mainstream practices to attend this Conference. We will be meeting on Darug and Gunungurra traditional lands.
3–5 May 2017
Carrington Hotel, Katoomba NSW
Registration for this exciting event is now open. Click here to find out more.
2017 Conference Sponsorship Now Available!
We invite you to become a proud sponsor and be part of our 6th National Conference. This will give your organisation great exposure as the conference aims to bring together professionals from a wide range of disciplines supporting families with children 0-5years across the country. Our expected audience will include staff working in the following sectors:-
- Early Childhood Care and Education
- Library Programs/Services
- Vulnerable Communities/Early Intervention & Prevention
- Aboriginal Communities
- Multicultural Communities
- Schools
- Local Communities
To find out more click here
Musical story and playtime!
If you’re in the North Richmond (NSW) area, check out this exciting new program starting on 21st October.
Book Week celebrations!
Check out these great pics from The Pocket Public School. It looks like they had a great Mad Hatters High Tea in celebration of Book Week! How did you celebrate at your school? Let us know by getting in touch here.
Cuddle time with Puddles
A lovely post from Paint Hawkesbury REaD this week ‘Had a big cuddle with Puddles while at my sewing group at North Richmond Community Centre. What a wonderful promotion to encourage children to read. Love the concept! From Grandma Joan’
Thank you for sharing Puddles!
Rooby Roo’s Birthday
If you’re in the North St Mary’s area come along to wish Rooby a happy birthday!
Paint the Swan REaD Annual Reading Week
Paint the Swan REaD invites you to get involved in our Annual Reading Week
Children’s Week 24 October – 1 November, 2015
There will be a special focus on four communities in the City of Swan
- Midland
- Ellenbrook
- Alton
- Bullsbrook
Business or shop owners!
- Decorate your shop in red for Children’s Week.
- Offer to read to children in your shop on 27 October.
- Donate items for fundraisers for the reading event.
- Sponsor items for Reading Week; e.g. a reading tent, books, library bags or stickers.
Libraries and Child and Family Services!
Host or plan to include your service in activities in your area.
Families!
Take your children to join in the free, fun activities.
Everyone!
Volunteer to join a local planning group for one of the four communities.
Wherever you are, stop and read at 11 am on 27 October.
For more information and to get involved in activities in your area, ask at your local library, visit the Paint the Swan REaD Facebook site, or contact Fiona Lee at CLAN Midland, on 9250 6335.
Paint the Gong REaD Annual Reading day
Put the date in your diary for Paint the Gong REaD’s annual reading day to be held on 20th August at Westfield Warrawong.
There’ll be lots of great early literacy activities, singing, craft, puppets and Bright Spark our reading mascot will be there with her friend Billy Back pack. Come and join us.
Find out more here.