Early Learning Centre

As we turn the page on 2022, we wish all our families a safe and happy Christmas and a fun and exciting new year.  We all have a new chapter to begin in 2023 and there is a sense of excitement and optimism about that.

Sharing Books Together

I know I say this often, but the singular most important experience you can do with your child to support their learning is to read to them and read to them often.

Exposure to books from an early age helps children to understand how books work and that the text on the page represents ideas and sounds. It helps to develop their vocabulary as they can read about things you may not talk about day-to-day, like fairies and magic, and you can explain more complex ideas and parts of the story that relate to your child’s experiences or interests.

You don’t have to read every word on the page or ‘stick to the story’ during shared book reading. Children can gain just as much from talking about their favourite pictures. You can turn reading into a conversation by looking at the pictures your child is most interested in and creating your own story, or by stopping to ask questions about the characters: What are they feeling? Why are they wearing that?! This develops higher level thinking and language use. When talking about a story and making connections, the language areas in their brain develop and grow. If you are reading a rhyming book or one that they know quite well, you can pause to let them fill in a rhyming word or the rest of the line. This also helps your child to be involved and connect with the story.

I hope you enjoy some great summer reading with your family these holidays.

I am excited for everyone for 2023, Piccolo, Piccino and Prep and I look forward to hearing how the year ahead evolves for everyone.

Frances O'Brien

Director Early Learning Centre