Did you know that 1 in 5 Australian children are developmentally behind in their language skills before they even start school?
HealthWISE speech pathologists Anna Haire and Linda Foskey are delighted to be taking part in the annual Speechie Library Talks campaign to help support children’s language and literacy development in Narrabri and Inverell.
Anna will speak to parents of preschool aged children at the Narrabri Library from 10.30-11.30am on Monday, November 8. “There are many simple ways parents can foster an interest in and love of books from very early in a child’s life,” Anna said. “This can have a powerful impact over time, especially as children reach school age and begin learning to read for themselves.”
Linda will speak at the Inverell Shire Library from 11.30am on Tuesday, November 16. “Working with kids really keeps you young. It’s great to get in and really make a difference to their communication skills,” she said of her role. “It’s a really inspiring career, being a speech pathologist, because when you get a child communicating in whatever form they need to communicate, then you know you’ve made a difference to their lives.”
A Speech Pathology Australia initiative, the free Speechie Library Talks will give parents and carers a unique opportunity to learn more about how they can help develop their child’s language and literacy and help to set them up for success.
Speech pathologists are professionals with the unique skills and knowledge to help build children’s language and literacy.
Anna will be joining Rhyme Time at 10.30-11am, where she will focus on working with children aged 0-18 months. She will then come along to Story Time at 11-11.30 am to speak on reaching 2-5 year olds.
Some of the topics Anna and Linda will cover include choosing the right books, how parents and carers can help to build language and literacy and encouraging interactions.
The presentations will also include an informative book reading of one of Speech Pathology Australia’s Book of the Year winning books in the appropriate age category.
Parents, carers and anyone interested in children’s language and literacy development are invited to attend the talks on November 8 and 16. No RSVP is required.
