Sunday, March 19th marks the launch of International Read to ME Day and Australia has activities planned around the country. The purpose of the day is to highlight the importance of being read to in the development of reading and writing skills. ‘Read to ME day’ is a day for children to ask for a story to be told to them or for a book to be read to them.
“Reading and writing are such key life skills. In Australia we know that literacy is a key indicator for future success,” said Emma Mactaggart, Founder of the Child Writes Fund , the entity supporting the campaign. “It takes a village to raise a child and a child to inspire a village. Children all over the world will take part, I am excited that Australia is joining with us.”
Taboo Boys School in Tanzania has confirmed that they will be supporting International Read to ME Day, as have a number of schools and preschools in Bahrain, Myanmar and Indonesia. “This is only the second year for the event, and we are delighted to have had this response so early. Imagine next year!”
Keanan Wallace, a young published author from Scotch College in Adelaide is one of the ‘Read to Me’ Ambassadors, “I love reading and being read to, I want more children to enjoy this as much as I do,” Keanan said. Toby, an Ambassador from the United Kingdom (Writing to the World) reinforces this, “On International Read to ME Day, I will make sure I remind all the junior children in my school they are allowed to ask to be read to every day and if their mum or dad can’t, someone in their community can.”
A range of activities will happen across Sydney and Melbourne, Toowoomba and Geelong and youngsters will capture the fun on Instagram and Facebook using the hashtag #ReadToMeDay
Emma Mactaggart is coordinating International Read to ME day activities. If you want to run your own event or just want more information please contact Emma: em@boogiebooks.com.au
www.facebook.com/InternationalReadToMeDay
