the Y
the Y
Books act as magical portals that take us to other worlds. They introduce us to incredible characters and ideas. They show us other ways of living and experiencing. They let us discover new places, cultures and ways of thinking.
Most of us fondly remember favourite books from our childhood – feeling the texture of the book in our hands, eagerly turning to the next page, spending hours looking at familiar pictures and knowing the stories off by heart.
Books offer us comfort, advice, entertainment and even can become lifelong friends.
And that’s why it’s so important to start making those associations early.
Forming positive relationships with books, in turn, set the foundations for reading and literacy. And experts tell us it’s never too early to start!
At Y Kinders, our educators bring stories to life, growing imaginations and extending experiences. They know that children who are read to frequently are more likely to develop a love of learning.
In every Y Kinder we love reading, talking about, exploring, performing and re-telling stories from our favourite books.
And while these happen every day across our early learning services, activities such as Book Week provide a special time to celebrate the benefits of reading. It’s also a fun time to revisit favourite characters and stories and discover new ones!
Great experiences with books are not limited to our kinder rooms. Through connecting families with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library and our Book Gifting program, we involve not just our kinder kids, but their extended family and the wider community. Helpful tips and activities designed to strengthen the relationship with books and build positive associations with reading are shared with families and incorporated into our programs.
This year alone, nearly 9,000 books will find homes beyond our kinders, where they will be shared and passed on to family and friends to be enjoyed for many years to come.
