Port Augusta the sits at head of Spencer Gulf and is the crossroads of Australia. The residential population is approximately 14,000 with 1000 children aged 0 to 5 years. The community is culturally and socio-economically diverse.
Port Augusta commenced the delivery of the Let’s Read community program in 2013. Port Augusta has staff trained to deliver the Let’s Read community program in the Department of Education and Child Development, Aboriginal Families Support Services and the Aboriginal Families Team. Let’s Read is currently being offered at the Uniting Care Wesley Early Years Parenting Centre and the Aboriginal Families Team. The Smith Family is looking to further expand partnerships and training more personnel from agencies working with children aged 0-5 years.
2016 presentations
During 2016 The Smith Family in Port Augusta delivered 2 presentations to parents and caregivers. The presentations were attended by approximately 15 parents and 15 children. The presentations highlighted the importance of literacy and modelled how to use literacy as part of play with their children.
The event helped Let's Read communities engage with emergent literacy development messaging by providing a role model for parents to understand the simplicity of using literacy day to day as part of their children's play
Feedback from the community partner indictaed that the parents began to use some of the new skills demonstrated during the presentation at future playgroup sessions.
Jeremy Head | Program Coordinator | The Smith Family Upper Spencer
Baby & Me Playgroup
These photos are from the Early Years Parenting Centres’ ‘Baby & Me Playgroup’ in Port Augusta. The Coordinator has reported that the Mums enjoyed the presentation, believe that Let’s Read is a great program and were very excited about reading at home with their babies. A bonus for the young Mums was the ‘Reading Rugs’ that can be seen in the photos, they received with their Let’s Read packs. The rugs are knitted and kindly donated by the Knit & Natter group from the Marion View Club ladies, aka ‘Micks’ Angels’. This was another very rewarding session seeing the genuine excitement of parents because they see the packs as another tool to help them in the development of their child.
Mick Penglase | Program Coordinator- Learning for Life |The Smith Family
The Smith Family
E letsread@thesmithfamily.com.au