Imagination Library

This year as part of our school readiness plan our service is taking part in the Imagination Library, essentially starting from next month both three and four year old children will be receiving a high quality and age appropriate book and resource pack for them to keep and use at home. Kinder will also receive a copy and will be incorporating learning experiences based on the book into our programs of learning. This initiative is designed to help children develop a love of books and to help families and services work collaboratively in improving literacy outcomes for children. We are really excited about taking part and hope that you as families find it really beneficial. Here is an information letter from the program

"Dear Families,

The Victorian Department of Education and Training, (DET) has introduced funding (SRF) to provide a range of resources aimed at supporting children's learning and development in the year prior to starting primary school.

Each Kindergarten then develops an individual plan to include programs; resources and services that target:

• Communication; language and literacy.

• Social and emotional wellbeing of children.

• Access and inclusion of cultural and linguistically diverse children and families.

In 2023, Oakleigh Primary School and Kindergarten’s SRF plan includes the Dolly Parton Imagination Library (DPIL). Each month from March to August, your child will receive the gift of a high quality, age-appropriate book chosen by experts in early childhood education. Books coming to the children’s home will include Parent tips.

The Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

• Gives children the chance to experience the magic of stories.

• Is devoted to inspiring a love of reading in the hearts of children everywhere.

• While building a lasting love of books, is also helping to ensure that children start primary school with the skills needed to succeed.

Reading with your child from a very young age is important

• It helps to increase bonding between you and your child

• Assists them to develop the skills to read themselves when they get older

'The single most significant factor influencing a child's early education success is an introduction to books and being read to at home prior to beginning school' (National Commission on Reading 1985)

Early literacy changes lives

Something as simple as reading to a child from an early age can dramatically improve their literacy skills, so they are ready to learn to read when they start school and succeed in later life. The research is clear:

The period from birth to age 5 is critical for brain and language development

Literacy skills do not develop automatically and

More books in the home = better educational outcomes for children."