The Australian Literacy Educators' Association (ALEA) has over the past three decades, presented the gift of a book to as many new babies as possible, born in Australia on International Literacy Day, September 8 and this year the tradition continues with new parents at Westmead Hospital receiving a picture book from the popular Australian author, Mem Fox.
This year new parents were presented with Mem Fox’s latest picture book Baby Bedtime at Westmead from 10am today.
Research has shown that children, who are read to, included in conversations and see others reading and writing, develop essential literacy skills more easily as well as developing a love for reading.
This is the only project of its kind operated on a national level and Ms Marisa Zadro, President of the Sydney West branch of ALEA is very excited that for the first time all the newborn babies in Westmead hospital on September 8th will receive their very first book.
“It’s wonderful to be able to do what we can to help start these new babies off on the path to becoming literate. We see it as a real investment in the future of Western Sydney.”
12 months on from receiving a gift pack on International Literacy Day when her daughter was born, Kathryn Kotze wrote to thank ALEA for introducing the family to the joy of reading from as early as Addison’s first days. “Reading was always something that I wanted to share with my own children, however I had not considered the impact that early reading could have on a child in their 1st year. The way Addison’s face lights up and she babbles as we read is truly one of the most precious moments of the day.”
Since the Books For Babies initiative first began over 10 000 books have been presented across Australia. ALEA celebrates parents as a child's first and most important teacher and recognises the essential role they play in the early development of their children's literacy. As well as talking and reading to young children, parents are encouraged to tell stories and be a role model by letting children join in, as they see adults read and write.
