Little Kids and Books is an early literacy-based program focussed on modelling practical strategies to enhance parental awareness of everyday opportunities to support developmental of language and cognitive skills, communication skills and general knowledge. The program incorporates Abecedarian strategies including conversational reading, language priority, enriched caregiving and learning games. The program uses developmentally appropriate, high quality children’s picture books as the basis of the activity with subsequent planning of activities scaffolded around the book theme. Books selection includes First Nations authors or illustrators. Little Kids and Books embeds a collaboration with mobile libraries to provide an adjunct social connection to support families to receive membership and information including other library services. For more information on the program, visit: https://ucwb.org.au/parenting-groups-and-workshops/

Expected outcomes for this program are:

• improved ability to implement strategies for promoting literacy and numeracy development at home and in the ECEC setting (language and cognitive skills)
• improved interest in literacy and numeracy skills, attention and focus in children (language and cognitive skills)
• improved ability to implement strategies to support positive communication practices at home and in the ECEC setting (communication and general knowledge)
• improved family involvement and connection (social competence).

The program is delivered in-person over consecutive weeks, with 6 to 10 sessions ranging from 60 to 90 minutes.

The program is delivered for $2,948 per group. The cost may vary depending on the desired length of program, participants numbers (greater or less than 10) and required travel. Travel up to 1 hour is included. If further travel is required, it will be charged at $0.99 per km.