Reading project increases regional literacy rates

16-February-12

TAFE Western’s Lithgow College Library is launching a competition called ‘Dads Reading’. The project is a joint venture with the Lithgow Library and Learning Centre on Main Street and is part of the 2012 National Year of Reading initiative.

According to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, around 46% of teenage and adult Australians have poor literacy skills. Research reveals that one element in establishing better national literacy levels is men reading to their children.

Gwenda Vayro, librarian at Lithgow College says “Dads play a critical role in their children’s literacy development by modelling reading, sharing stories, and exploring the world together through books. This helps build critical thinking skills and helps engage children in meaningful conversations. Even if a dad is not much of a reader himself, it is important send a message to children that reading is important.

“To enter the competition we would like people to tell us the story of their Dad reading to them. The story can be presented using a range of media either in written form, or through a collage, a picture book, a video, painting or even a song. Entry to the competition closes on Monday, 4th June and there is no age limit” said Gwenda.

The ‘Dads Reading’ competition is aimed at encouraging fathers in Lithgow to have fun by reading more to their children and to encourage children to ask their fathers to read to them. The project will help raise local awareness of the ongoing, and increasingly critical, importance of men reading to their children in establishing good literacy habits and raising literacy levels in Lithgow.

For more information on how to enter the competition contact Gwenda Vayro at TAFE’s Lithgow College library on 6352 0470.

TAFE Western Libraries are supporting the National Year of Reading in 2012 for more information on what is happening throughout the year drop into your local college library.